Central College vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Iowa State University in Ames, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

Central College vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or ISU? 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 Iowa State University than Central College ($17,779 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 10.4% lower than at Central College ($10,808 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 94.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $10,201 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at ISU than at Central College (about $7,893 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 29% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($13,925 vs. $10,791).

Central College vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 150 points higher than at Central College (1090).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Iowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Iowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Central College (3.52).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 28.8% at ISU.

Central College vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and ISU? 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU 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.