Central College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

Central College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Gustavus Adolphus 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 College than Gustavus Adolphus College ($23,848 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gustavus Adolphus College are 2.1% lower than at Central College ($11,804 vs. $12,060).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 167.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $35,088 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.2% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Central College (about $35,088 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Gustavus Adolphus College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 197.7% larger than aid received by Central College students ($41,450 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College 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; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Central College vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gustavus Adolphus College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Gustavus Adolphus College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.