Central College vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Parkside is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (3,925 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 Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

Central College vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Parkside? 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 Parkside than Central College ($10,234 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 27.4% lower than at Central College ($8,750 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 153.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $12,718 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (about $3,559 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $17,429.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 83.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($13,925 vs. $7,598).

Central College vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Parkside).
• 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 Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Parkside - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Parkside (3.31).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Parkside (75.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

Central College vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Parkside? 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 Parkside's (28%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Parkside graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $4,035 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($22,965 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Parkside students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 54%)

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.