Central College vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

Central College vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Purdue 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 Purdue University Northwest than Central College ($7,916 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 26.1% lower than at Central College ($8,907 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 141.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $12,313 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.4% higher at Central College than at Purdue University Northwest (about $4,894 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $16,094.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Purdue University Northwest (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 99.2% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($13,925 vs. $6,992).

Central College vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 70 points higher than at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

Central College vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Purdue 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).

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.