Central College vs. Carroll College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Carroll College in Helena, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carroll College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,156 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Carroll College is in Helena, MT (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carroll College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Carroll College 12:1.

Central College vs. Carroll College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Carroll College? 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 Carroll College ($23,848 vs. $25,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carroll College are 4.2% lower than at Central College ($11,548 vs. $12,060).
• Carroll College is 97.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $20,496 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.7% higher at Carroll College than at Central College (about $20,496 more per year; $41,484.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Carroll College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carroll College students is 115.9% larger than aid received by Central College students ($30,058 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Carroll College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carroll College (1180) is 90 points higher than at Central College (1090).
• Incoming Carroll College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Carroll College 1050/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Carroll College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Carroll College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carroll College Feb 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carroll College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Carroll College (70.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 21.6% at Carroll College.

Central College vs. Carroll College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Carroll College? 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 Carroll College's (59%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Carroll College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carroll College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carroll College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carroll College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 78%)

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.