Central College vs. University of St. Mary

Comparable Facts

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

University of Saint Mary is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,462 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Saint Mary is in Leavenworth, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Saint Mary 11:1.

Central College vs. University of St. Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or University of St. Mary ? 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 Saint Mary than Central College ($23,020 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Saint Mary are 14.4% lower than at Central College ($10,328 vs. $12,060).
• University of Saint Mary is 68.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $14,392 more per year; $35,380.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.6% higher at University of St. Mary than at Central College (about $14,392 more per year; $35,380.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Saint Mary (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Saint Mary students is 84.7% larger than aid received by Central College students ($25,726 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. University of St. Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or University of St. Mary ? 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 University of St. Mary and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 170 points higher than at University of St. Mary (920).
• Incoming Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at University of St. Mary ).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; University of Saint Mary 806/1028.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; University of Saint Mary 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; University of St. Mary - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at University of St. Mary (3.36).
• University of St. Mary has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 20.7% at University of St. Mary .

Central College vs. University of St. Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and University of St. Mary ? 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 Saint Mary's (42%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than University of St. Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Saint Mary graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of St. Mary graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of St. Mary students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 58%)

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.