Central College vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Northland College 5:1.

Central College vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Northland College? 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 Northland College than Central College ($23,253 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northland College are 3.8% lower than at Central College ($11,600 vs. $12,060).
• Northland College is 111.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $23,415 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.6% higher at Northland College than at Central College (about $23,415 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Northland College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 141.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($33,572 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 40 points higher than at Northland College (1050).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Northland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Central College vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Northland College? 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 Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northland College graduates have a $57 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($26,943 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northland College graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northland College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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.