Central College vs. McMurry University

Should I go to Central College or McMurry University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or McMurry University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Central College vs. McMurry University comparison
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Central College McMurry University
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Overview

Central College McMurry University
Location Pella, IA Abilene, TX
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,169 1,237
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #734
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu mcm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central College McMurry University
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $29,972
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $29,972
Room & Board $10,860 $9,250
Avg Net Price $23,303 $18,757
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $23,537
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Central College McMurry University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 2,345
Admitted 1,561 1,325
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 56.5%
Enrolled % 22.5% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 20/25
SAT Range 1040/1218 1040/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Central College McMurry University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Education (23%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Central College McMurry University
Graduation Rate 63% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $43,700
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $26,824
Median Loan Payment $279 $277

Diversity

Central College McMurry University
% Men 52% 53%
% Women 48% 47%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU No No
% White 87% 52%
% Black 2% 18%
% Hispanic 4% 25%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 1%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

Central College McMurry University
% In-State 73% 96%
% Out-of-State 26% 3%

Campus

Central College McMurry University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • McMurry University is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,237 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. McMurry University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or McMurry University?

  • McMurry University is 51.4% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($29,972.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 51.4% higher at McMurry University than Central College ($29,972.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at McMurry University than Central College ($18,757 vs. $23,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McMurry University are 17.4% lower than costs at Central College ($9,250 vs. $10,860)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as McMurry University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McMurry University students is 114% larger than aid received Central College ($23,537 vs. $10,999)

Central College vs. McMurry University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or McMurry University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between McMurry University or Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 181 points higher than at McMurry University (887)
  • Incoming Central College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at McMurry University (19)
  • Accepted freshman McMurry University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Central College (3.52)
  • Central College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than McMurry University (56.5%)

Central College vs. McMurry University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or McMurry University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between McMurry University and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than McMurry University (63% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $4,300 more per year than McMurry University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $43,700)
  • McMurry University students graduate with a $176 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($26,824 vs. $27,000)
  • McMurry University graduates are paying $2 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($277 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McMurry University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/