Central College vs. HSU

Should I go to Central College or Hardin Simmons University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or HSU 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. Hardin Simmons University comparison
Central College Hardin Simmons University College 3 College 4
Central College Hardin Simmons University
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Overview

 Central College HSU
Location Pella, IA Abilene, TX
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,095 1,655
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #548 #748
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu hsutx.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central College HSU
Tuition (In State) $20,988 $30,694
Tuition (Out of State) $20,988 $30,694
Room & Board $12,220 $10,634
Avg Net Price $22,499 $21,321
Avg Grant Aid $12,678 $23,743
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Central College HSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,978 2,452
Admitted 1,562 2,367
Acceptance Rate 79% 96.5%
Enrolled % 17.5% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 935/1205 968/1190
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 HSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 Central College HSU
Graduation Rate 63% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $46,600
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

 Central College HSU
% Men 1% 8%
% Women 2% 15%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 71%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 Central College HSU
% In-State 72% 96%
% Out-of-State 28% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Hardin Simmons University is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,655 students vs. 1,095 students)

Central College vs. HSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or HSU?

  • Hardin Simmons University is 46.2% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($30,694.00 vs. $20,988.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.2% higher at HSU than Central College ($30,694.00 vs. $20,988.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hardin Simmons University than Central College ($21,321 vs. $22,499)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hardin Simmons University are 14.9% lower than costs at Central College ($10,634 vs. $12,220)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as Hardin Simmons University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 87.3% larger than aid received Central College ($23,743 vs. $12,678)

Central College vs. HSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 38 points higher than at HSU (1030)
  • Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at HSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at HSU (3.43)
  • HSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Central College (79%)

Central College vs. HSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or HSU? 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 HSU and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Hardin Simmons University (63% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $1,400 more per year than HSU graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $46,600)
  • Hardin Simmons University students graduate with a $1,011 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($25,989 vs. $27,000)
  • HSU graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HSU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 67%)

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