Central College vs. Bethel University

Should I go to Central College or Bethel University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or Bethel University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Central College vs. Bethel University comparison
Central College Bethel University College 3 College 4
Central College Bethel University
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Overview

 Central College Bethel University
Location Pella, IA Saint Paul, MN
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,169 3,546
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #238
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu bethel.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central College Bethel University
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $41,110
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $41,110
Room & Board $10,860 $11,490
Avg Net Price $23,303 $29,915
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $24,586
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

 Central College Bethel University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 2,199
Admitted 1,561 1,594
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 72.5%
Enrolled % 22.5% 27.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 20/28
SAT Range 1040/1218 1123/1343
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

 Central College Bethel University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)

Outcomes

 Central College Bethel University
Graduation Rate 63% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $50,100
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 80%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,400
Median Loan Payment $279 $252

Diversity

 Central College Bethel University
% Men 52% 38%
% Women 48% 62%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 78%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 7%

Students

 Central College Bethel University
% In-State 73% 79%
% Out-of-State 26% 21%

Campus

 Central College Bethel University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bethel University is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (3,546 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. Bethel University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Bethel University?

  • Bethel University is 107.6% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($41,110.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 107.6% higher at Bethel University than Central College ($41,110.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Bethel University ($23,303 vs. $29,915)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 5.8% lower than costs at Bethel University ($10,860 vs. $11,490)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central College than Bethel University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 123.5% larger than aid received Central College ($24,586 vs. $10,999)

Central College vs. Bethel University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Bethel University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bethel University or Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Bethel University (1127) is 59 points higher than at Central College (1068)
  • Incoming Bethel University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Central College (23)
  • Accepted freshman Bethel University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Central College (3.52)
  • Central College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Bethel University (72.5%)

Central College vs. Bethel University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or Bethel University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bethel University and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Bethel University is higher than Central College (73% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Bethel University earn on average $2,100 more per year than Central College graduates after ten years. ($50,100 vs. $48,000)
  • Bethel University students graduate with a $2,600 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($24,400 vs. $27,000)
  • Bethel University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($252 vs. $279)
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 78%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/