Central College vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Minnesota State University Mankato in Mankato, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (15,271 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Minnesota State University Mankato is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1.

Central College vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University Mankato than Central College ($18,861 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 2.9% lower than at Minnesota State University Mankato ($12,060 vs. $12,420).
• Central College is 119.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota State University-Mankato (about $11,416 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $9,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at Central College than at Minnesota State University Mankato (about $2,046 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $18,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Minnesota State University Mankato (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 161.5% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students ($13,925 vs. $5,325).

Central College vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato and Central College.

• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Minnesota State University-Mankato).
• 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; Minnesota State University Mankato 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Minnesota State University-Mankato (3.37).
• Minnesota State University-Mankato has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

Central College vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University Mankato's (50%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Minnesota State University Mankato graduates have a $4,425 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($22,575 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($233 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota State University-Mankato students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 72%)

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.