Central College vs. Hastings College

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than Hastings College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 956 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Hastings College is in Hastings, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hastings College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Hastings College 14:1.

Central College vs. Hastings College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Hastings 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 Hastings College ($23,848 vs. $24,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hastings College are 0.1% lower than at Central College ($12,050 vs. $12,060).
• Hastings College is 80% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $16,782 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80% higher at Hastings College than at Central College (about $16,782 more per year; $37,770.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Hastings College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hastings College students is 94.7% larger than aid received by Central College students ($27,107 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Hastings College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 20 points higher than at Hastings College (1070).
• Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Hastings College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Hastings College 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Hastings College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Hastings College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Hastings College (3.5).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Hastings College (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 17.7% at Hastings College.

Central College vs. Hastings College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Hastings 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).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Hastings College's (56%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Hastings College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hastings College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Hastings College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hastings College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.