Central College vs. ESU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Emporia State University in Emporia, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Emporia State University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (4,557 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Emporia State University is in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Emporia State University 16:1.

Central College vs. ESU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or ESU ? 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 Emporia State University than Central College ($16,094 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 9.2% lower than at Central College ($10,950 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 195.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $13,882 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.1% higher at Central College than at Emporia State University (about $5,569 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Emporia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 134% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($13,925 vs. $5,951).

Central College vs. ESU Admissions comparison

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

• 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.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; ESU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at ESU (3.41).
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 22.9% at ESU .

Central College vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and ESU ? 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 Emporia State University's (43%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than ESU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emporia State University graduates have a $7,581 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($19,419 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ESU graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ESU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 59%)

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.