Central College vs. Baker

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Baker University in Baldwin City, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Baker University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,017 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Baker University is in Baldwin City, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Baker University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Baker University 13:1.

Central College vs. Baker Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Baker? 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 Central College than Baker ($23,848 vs. $26,211).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baker University are 6.7% lower than at Central College ($11,250 vs. $12,060).
• Baker University is 68.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $14,312 more per year; $35,300.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.2% higher at Baker than at Central College (about $14,312 more per year; $35,300.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Baker University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Baker University students is 77.6% larger than aid received by Central College students ($24,733 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Baker Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Baker? 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 Baker and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 40 points higher than at Baker (1050).
• Incoming Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Baker).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Baker University 970/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Baker University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Baker - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Baker (3.45).
• Baker has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 25.5% at Baker.

Central College vs. Baker Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Baker? 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 Baker University's (55%).
• Graduates from Baker University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,000 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Baker University graduates have a $2,001 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($24,999 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Baker 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 Baker students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 63%)

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.