Central College vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 999 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Central College vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or OU? 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 OU ($23,848 vs. $28,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 11.6% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($12,060 vs. $13,646).
• Ottawa University Ottawa is 71% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $14,892 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71% higher at OU than at Central College (about $14,892 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Ottawa University Ottawa (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 70.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($23,692 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. OU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 210 points higher than at OU (880).
• Incoming Central College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at OU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Ottawa University Ottawa 750/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Ottawa University Ottawa 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at OU (3.12).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than OU (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 14.1% at OU.

Central College vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and OU? 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 Ottawa University Ottawa's (47%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than OU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ottawa University Ottawa graduates have a $5,125 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,875 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($226 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 46%)

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.