Central College vs. RMC

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than RMC based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 1,032 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Rocky Mountain College is in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rocky Mountain College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Rocky Mountain College 14:1.

Central College vs. RMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or RMC? 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 Rocky Mountain College than Central College ($20,791 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rocky Mountain College are 15.8% lower than at Central College ($10,152 vs. $12,060).
• Rocky Mountain College is 69.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $14,594 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.5% higher at RMC than at Central College (about $14,594 more per year; $35,582.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Rocky Mountain College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rocky Mountain College students is 83.2% larger than aid received by Central College students ($25,508 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. RMC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 80 points higher than at RMC (1010).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at RMC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Rocky Mountain College 893/1133.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Rocky Mountain College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; RMC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at RMC (3.42).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than RMC (69.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 28.6% at RMC.

Central College vs. RMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and RMC? 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 Rocky Mountain College's (50%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than RMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rocky Mountain College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, RMC graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RMC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 66%)

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.