Central College vs. UWSP

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (8,233 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 Stevens Point is in Stevens Point, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 21:1.

Central College vs. UWSP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UWSP? 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 Stevens Point than Central College ($14,883 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point are 27% lower than at Central College ($8,800 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 121.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWSP (about $11,500 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $9,488.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (about $2,480 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $18,508.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (100% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 177.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stevens Point students ($13,925 vs. $5,014).

Central College vs. UWSP Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UWSP).
• 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 Stevens Point 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; UWSP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWSP Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UWSP (3.27).
• UWSP has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 23.5% at UWSP.

Central College vs. UWSP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and UWSP? 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 Stevens Point's (61%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than UWSP graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point graduates have a $2,640 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($24,360 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UWSP graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($251 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UWSP students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.