Central College vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Missouri State University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (9,152 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Northwest Missouri State University is in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Northwest Missouri State University 16:1.

Central College vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University than Central College ($16,790 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 1.8% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($12,060 vs. $12,282).
• Central College is 97.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest (about $10,377 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $10,611.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at Central College than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $3,664 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Northwest Missouri State University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 53% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($13,925 vs. $9,101).

Central College vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 10 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Northwest (3.45).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

Central College vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Missouri State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwest graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 63%)

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.