Central College vs. Lakeland University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Lakeland University in Plymouth, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lakeland University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,813 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Lakeland University is in Plymouth, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lakeland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Lakeland University 12:1.

Central College vs. Lakeland University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University ($23,848 vs. $24,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 0.7% lower than at Lakeland University ($12,060 vs. $12,140).
• Lakeland University is 59.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $12,408 more per year; $33,396.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.1% higher at Lakeland University than at Central College (about $12,408 more per year; $33,396.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Lakeland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lakeland University students is 76.4% larger than aid received by Central College students ($24,559 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Lakeland University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120.
• 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; Lakeland University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Lakeland University (3.0).
• Lakeland University has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 16.1% at Lakeland University.

Central College vs. Lakeland University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University's (42%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Lakeland University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lakeland University graduates have a $1,542 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,458 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lakeland University graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lakeland University 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.