Central College vs. Saint John's

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Saint Johns University in Collegeville, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Johns University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,572 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Central College vs. Saint John's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Saint John's? 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 Saint John's ($23,848 vs. $28,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 3% lower than at Saint Johns University ($12,060 vs. $12,430).
• Saint Johns University is 165.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $34,828 more per year; $55,816.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165.9% higher at Saint John's than at Central College (about $34,828 more per year; $55,816.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Saint Johns University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Johns University students is 187.5% larger than aid received by Central College students ($40,035 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Saint John's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Saint John's? 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 Saint John's and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 10 points higher than at Saint John's (1080).
• Incoming Saint John's students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Saint Johns University 941/1228.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Saint Johns University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Saint John's - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Saint John's (3.51).
• Saint John's has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 21.9% at Saint John's.

Central College vs. Saint John's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Saint John's? 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).

• Saint Johns University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from Saint Johns University earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,400 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Johns University and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Saint Johns University and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Saint John's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 78%)

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.