Central College vs. MIAD

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than MIAD based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 11:1.

Central College vs. MIAD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or MIAD? 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 MIAD ($23,848 vs. $27,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design are 9.2% lower than at Central College ($10,955 vs. $12,060).
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is 108.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $22,755 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.4% higher at MIAD than at Central College (about $22,755 more per year; $43,743.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students is 86.8% larger than aid received by Central College students ($26,015 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. MIAD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 50 points higher than at MIAD (1040).
• Incoming MIAD 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; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 940/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; MIAD - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: MIAD Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at MIAD (3.08).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than MIAD (60.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 33.2% at MIAD.

Central College vs. MIAD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and MIAD? 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 Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's (57%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than MIAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MIAD students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 59%)

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.