Central College vs. D&E College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than D&E College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Davis & Elkins College is in Elkins, WV (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Davis & Elkins College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Davis & Elkins College 10:1.

Central College vs. D&E College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or D&E 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 Davis & Elkins College than Central College ($19,784 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Davis & Elkins College are 10.2% lower than at Central College ($10,825 vs. $12,060).
• Davis & Elkins College is 51.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $10,832 more per year; $31,820.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.6% higher at D&E College than at Central College (about $10,832 more per year; $31,820.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Davis & Elkins College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Davis & Elkins College students is 83.7% larger than aid received by Central College students ($25,575 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. D&E College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or D&E 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 D&E College and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 90 points higher than at D&E College (1000).
• Incoming Central College students have a 16 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 7 at D&E College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Davis & Elkins College 880/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Davis & Elkins College 1/14.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; D&E College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at D&E College (3.35).
• D&E College has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 24.8% at D&E College.

Central College vs. D&E College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and D&E 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 Davis & Elkins College's (36%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than D&E College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Davis & Elkins College graduates have a $3,288 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,712 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, D&E College graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former D&E College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 55%)

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.