Central College vs. Keystone College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Keystone College in La Plume, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than Keystone College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Keystone College is in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Keystone College 12:1.

Central College vs. Keystone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Keystone 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 Keystone College than Central College ($21,952 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 4.3% lower than at Keystone College ($12,060 vs. $12,600).
• Central College is 14.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Keystone College (about $2,688 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Central College than at Keystone College (about $2,688 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Keystone College (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 37.6% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($13,925 vs. $10,119).

Central College vs. Keystone College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 70 points higher than at Keystone College (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Keystone College 910/1130.
• 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; Keystone College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Keystone College (3.0).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Keystone College (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 10.8% at Keystone College.

Central College vs. Keystone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Keystone 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 Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Keystone College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Keystone College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Keystone College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 57%)

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.