Central College vs. Orion Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Orion Technical College in Davenport, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than Orion Technical College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Orion Technical College is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Orion Technical College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Orion Technical College 6:1.

Central College vs. Orion Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Orion Technical 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 Orion Technical College ($23,848 vs. $27,001).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orion Technical College are 9.2% lower than at Central College ($10,956 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 34.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Orion Technical College (about $5,388 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $15,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at Central College than at Orion Technical College (about $5,388 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $15,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Orion Technical College (100% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 190% larger than aid received by Orion Technical College students ($13,925 vs. $4,802).

Central College vs. Orion Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Orion Technical 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 Orion Technical College and Central College.

• Orion Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Orion Technical College - Open admission.

Central College vs. Orion Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Orion Technical 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).

• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Orion Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have a $17,500 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($9,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($98 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Orion Technical College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 33%)

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.