Central College vs. UWO

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (12,953 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is in Oshkosh, WI (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 22:1.

Central College vs. UWO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UWO? 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 Wisconsin Oshkosh than Central College ($12,500 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh are 22% lower than at Central College ($9,410 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 146% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWO (about $12,456 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (about $4,542 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $16,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 110.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students ($13,925 vs. $6,605).

Central College vs. UWO Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UWO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; UWO - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UWO (3.24).
• UWO has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 21.4% at UWO.

Central College vs. UWO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and UWO? 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 Wisconsin Oshkosh's (50%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than UWO graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates have a $3,252 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,748 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UWO 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 UWO 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.