Central College vs. Tusculum University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Tusculum University in Greeneville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tusculum University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,103 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Tusculum University is in Greeneville, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tusculum University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Tusculum University 18:1.

Central College vs. Tusculum University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Tusculum University? 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 Tusculum University than Central College ($20,355 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tusculum University are 8.8% lower than at Central College ($11,000 vs. $12,060).
• Tusculum University is 39.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $8,262 more per year; $29,250.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.4% higher at Tusculum University than at Central College (about $8,262 more per year; $29,250.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Tusculum University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tusculum University students is 70.6% larger than aid received by Central College students ($23,759 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Tusculum University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 80 points higher than at Tusculum University (1010).
• Incoming Central College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at Tusculum University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Tusculum University 910/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Tusculum University 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Tusculum University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Tusculum University (3.18).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Tusculum University (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 16.4% at Tusculum University.

Central College vs. Tusculum University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Tusculum University? 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 Tusculum University's (38%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Tusculum University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tusculum University and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Tusculum University and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tusculum University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 52%)

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.