Central College vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Central College vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Iowa? 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 University of Iowa than Central College ($21,765 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 6.7% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,060 vs. $12,920).
• Central College is 86% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $9,705 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59% higher at Iowa than at Central College (about $12,383 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 41.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($13,925 vs. $9,865).

Central College vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 140 points higher than at Central College (1090).
• Incoming Iowa 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; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Central College vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Iowa? 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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.