Central College vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

Central College vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UNI? 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 Northern Iowa than Central College ($16,437 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 17.2% lower than at Central College ($9,986 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 111.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $11,052 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at UNI than at Central College (about $724 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 137.4% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($13,925 vs. $5,865).

Central College vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 60 points higher than at Central College (1090).
• Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Central College (3.52).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Central College vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and UNI? 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $300 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 72%)

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.