Central College vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

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

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (5,881 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Central College vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UNK? 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 Nebraska at Kearney than Central College ($16,287 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 1.1% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($12,060 vs. $12,198).
• Central College is 141.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $12,312 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.3% higher at Central College than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $5,704 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 42.4% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($13,925 vs. $9,776).

Central College vs. UNK Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 70 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNK).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Central College vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and UNK? 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 University of Nebraska at Kearney's (61%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than UNK graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNK students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

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.