Central College vs. Friends University

Should I go to Central College or Friends University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or Friends University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Central College vs. Friends University comparison
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Overview

 Central College Friends University
Location Pella, IA Wichita, KS
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 1,169 1,724
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #723
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu friends.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central College Friends University
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $31,172
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $31,172
Room & Board $10,860 $8,326
Avg Net Price $23,303 $23,720
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $19,570
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Central College Friends University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 1,620
Admitted 1,561 1,025
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 63.3%
Enrolled % 22.5% 25.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/26
SAT Range 1040/1218 950/1181
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Central College Friends University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Business (62%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (4%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

 Central College Friends University
Graduation Rate 63% 27%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $46,500
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $24,512
Median Loan Payment $279 $253

Diversity

 Central College Friends University
% Men 52% 42%
% Women 48% 58%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 87% 68%
% Black 2% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 8%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 5%

Students

 Central College Friends University
% In-State 73% 46%
% Out-of-State 26% 50%

Campus

 Central College Friends University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Friends University is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. Friends University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Friends University?

  • Friends University is 57.4% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($31,172.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 57.4% higher at Friends University than Central College ($31,172.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Friends University ($23,303 vs. $23,720)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Friends University are 30.4% lower than costs at Central College ($8,326 vs. $10,860)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as Friends University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 77.9% larger than aid received Central College ($19,570 vs. $10,999)

Central College vs. Friends University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Friends University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Friends University or Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 54 points higher than at Friends University (1014)
  • Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Friends University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Friends University (3.4)
  • Central College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Friends University (63.3%)

Central College vs. Friends University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or Friends University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Friends University and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Friends University (63% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $1,500 more per year than Friends University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $46,500)
  • Friends University students graduate with a $2,488 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($24,512 vs. $27,000)
  • Friends University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($253 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Friends University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/