Central College vs. Morningside University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Morningside University in Sioux City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Morningside University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,056 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Morningside University is in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Morningside University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Morningside University 12:1.

Central College vs. Morningside University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Morningside 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 Morningside University ($23,848 vs. $24,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Morningside University are 3.4% lower than at Central College ($11,650 vs. $12,060).
• Morningside University is 89% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $18,672 more per year; $39,660.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89% higher at Morningside University than at Central College (about $18,672 more per year; $39,660.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Morningside University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Morningside University students is 103.9% larger than aid received by Central College students ($28,397 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Morningside University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Morningside 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 Morningside 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; Morningside University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Morningside University (3.42).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Morningside University (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 15.8% at Morningside University.

Central College vs. Morningside University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Morningside 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 Morningside University's (57%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Morningside University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Morningside University and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Morningside University 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 Morningside University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.