Central College vs. KWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 887 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Kentucky Wesleyan College is in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1.

Central College vs. KWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or KWC? 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 Kentucky Wesleyan College than Central College ($20,999 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 1.7% lower than at Central College ($11,855 vs. $12,060).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 65.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $13,685 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.2% higher at KWC than at Central College (about $13,685 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Kentucky Wesleyan College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 83.4% larger than aid received by Central College students ($25,538 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. KWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 80 points higher than at KWC (1010).
• Incoming Central College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at KWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; KWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at KWC (3.3).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than KWC (71.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 17.7% at KWC.

Central College vs. KWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and KWC? 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 Kentucky Wesleyan College's (44%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than KWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $4,093 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($22,907 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($236 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 54%)

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.