Central College vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Averett University in Danville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Averett University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,476 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Averett University is in Danville, VA (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Averett University 16:1.

Central College vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or AU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Averett University than Central College ($23,471 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 17% lower than at Averett University ($12,060 vs. $14,530).
• Averett University is 83.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $17,562 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.7% higher at AU than at Central College (about $17,562 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Averett University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Averett University students is 115.4% larger than aid received by Central College students ($29,998 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or AU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between AU and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 60 points higher than at AU (1030).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Averett University 926/1143.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Averett University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; AU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at AU (3.07).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than AU (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 18.1% at AU.

Central College vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and AU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Averett University's (41%).
• Graduates from Averett University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Averett University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.