Central College vs. Peru State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Peru State College in Peru, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Peru State College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,492 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Peru State College is in Peru, NE (Distant Rural setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Peru State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Peru State College 17:1.

Central College vs. Peru State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Peru State 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 Peru State College than Central College ($11,915 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Peru State College are 13.2% lower than at Central College ($10,464 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 142.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Peru State College (about $12,348 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.9% higher at Central College than at Peru State College (about $12,348 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Peru State College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 34.4% larger than aid received by Peru State College students ($13,925 vs. $10,363).

Central College vs. Peru State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Peru State 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 Peru State College and Central College.

• Peru State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Peru State College - Open admission.

Central College vs. Peru State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Peru State 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 Peru State College's (26%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Peru State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Peru State College graduates have a $6,025 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($20,975 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Peru State College graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($216 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peru State College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 55%)

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.