Central College vs. Central Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Central Christian College of Kansas in McPherson, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than Central Christian College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 469 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Central Christian College of Kansas is in McPherson, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Christian College of Kansas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Central Christian College of Kansas 15:1.

Central College vs. Central Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Central Christian 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 Christian College of Kansas than Central College ($12,143 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Christian College of Kansas are 21.6% lower than at Central College ($9,450 vs. $12,060).
• Central Christian College of Kansas is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $12 more per year; $21,000.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Central Christian College than at Central College (about $12 more per year; $21,000.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Central Christian College of Kansas (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Christian College of Kansas students is 53% larger than aid received by Central College students ($21,309 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Central Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Central Christian College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Central Christian College and Central College.

• Central Christian College of Kansas reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Central Christian College - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman Central College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Central Christian College (3.24).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Central Christian College (52.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 34.6% at Central Christian College.

Central College vs. Central Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Central Christian College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Central Christian College of Kansas's (41%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than Central Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $32,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Christian College of Kansas graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Christian College 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 Central Christian College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 43%)

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.