Central College vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Wisconsin is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (5,253 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

Central College vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or CUW? 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 CUW ($23,848 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 8.6% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($12,060 vs. $13,200).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 69% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $14,482 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69% higher at CUW than at Central College (about $14,482 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Concordia University Wisconsin (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 53.5% larger than aid received by Central College students ($21,379 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. CUW Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Central College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at CUW (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; CUW - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have the same average high school GPA (3.52) as students at CUW (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than CUW (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 14.1% at CUW.

Central College vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and CUW? 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 Concordia University Wisconsin's (58%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than CUW graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Wisconsin graduates have a $3,075 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,925 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CUW graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 52%)

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.