Central College vs. Rockhurst

Should I go to Central College or Rockhurst University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or Rockhurst is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Central College vs. Rockhurst University comparison
Central College Rockhurst University College 3 College 4
Central College Rockhurst University
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Overview

 Central College Rockhurst
Location Pella, IA Kansas City, MO
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 1,169 3,405
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #285
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu rockhurst.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central College Rockhurst
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $40,700
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $40,700
Room & Board $10,860 $10,280
Avg Net Price $23,303 $22,994
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $32,842
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Central College Rockhurst
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 3,154
Admitted 1,561 2,096
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 66.5%
Enrolled % 22.5% 13.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.62
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 19/26
SAT Range 1040/1218 1083/1288
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

 Central College Rockhurst
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Health Professions (31%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

 Central College Rockhurst
Graduation Rate 63% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $211

Diversity

 Central College Rockhurst
% Men 52% 35%
% Women 48% 65%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 72%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 8%

Students

 Central College Rockhurst
% In-State 73% 58%
% Out-of-State 26% 39%

Campus

 Central College Rockhurst
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Rockhurst University is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (3,405 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. Rockhurst Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Rockhurst?

  • Rockhurst University is 105.6% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($40,700.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 105.6% higher at Rockhurst than Central College ($40,700.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rockhurst University than Central College ($22,994 vs. $23,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rockhurst University are 5.6% lower than costs at Central College ($10,280 vs. $10,860)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as Rockhurst University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rockhurst University students is 198.6% larger than aid received Central College ($32,842 vs. $10,999)

Central College vs. Rockhurst Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Rockhurst? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Rockhurst or Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Rockhurst University (1162) is 94 points higher than at Central College (1068)
  • Incoming Rockhurst students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Central College (23)
  • Accepted freshman Rockhurst students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Central College (3.52)
  • Central College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Rockhurst (66.5%)

Central College vs. Rockhurst Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or Rockhurst? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Rockhurst and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Rockhurst is higher than Central College (74% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Rockhurst University earn on average $5,500 more per year than Central College graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $48,000)
  • Rockhurst University students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($20,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Rockhurst graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($211 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rockhurst students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/