Central College vs. Southeast Missouri State University

Should I go to Central College or Southeast Missouri State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or Southeast Missouri State University 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. Southeast Missouri State University comparison
Central College Southeast Missouri State University College 3 College 4
Central College Southeast Missouri State University
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Overview

Central College Southeast Missouri State University
Location Pella, IA Cape Girardeau, MO
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,169 9,927
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #920
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu semo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central College Southeast Missouri State University
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $7,761
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $14,331
Room & Board $10,860 $9,954
Avg Net Price $23,303 $14,519
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $8,592
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Central College Southeast Missouri State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 7,092
Admitted 1,561 6,121
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 86.3%
Enrolled % 22.5% 23.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 17/24
SAT Range 1040/1218 970/1180
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Central College Southeast Missouri State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Central College Southeast Missouri State University
Graduation Rate 63% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,527
Median Loan Payment $279 $232

Diversity

Central College Southeast Missouri State University
% Men 52% 40%
% Women 48% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 77%
% Black 2% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 0%
% International 0% 7%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Central College Southeast Missouri State University
% In-State 73% 74%
% Out-of-State 26% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southeast Missouri State University is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (9,927 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. Southeast Missouri State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Southeast Missouri State University?

  • Central College is 155.1% more expensive to attend than Southeast Missouri State University for in-state tuition ($19,800.00 vs. $7,761.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.2% higher at Central College than Southeast Missouri State University ($19,800.00 vs. $14,331.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southeast Missouri State University than Central College ($14,519 vs. $23,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeast Missouri State University are 9.1% lower than costs at Central College ($9,954 vs. $10,860)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central College than Southeast Missouri State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 28% larger than aid received Southeast Missouri State University ($10,999 vs. $8,592)

Central College vs. Southeast Missouri State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 18 points higher than at Southeast Missouri State University (1050)
  • Incoming Central College students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Southeast Missouri State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Central College (3.52)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Central College (79.2%)

Central College vs. Southeast Missouri State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or Southeast Missouri State University? 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 Southeast Missouri State University and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Southeast Missouri State University (63% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $7,500 more per year than Southeast Missouri State University graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $40,500)
  • Southeast Missouri State University students graduate with a $4,473 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($22,527 vs. $27,000)
  • Southeast Missouri State University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southeast Missouri State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 63%)

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