Central College vs. UW-Stout

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Stout is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (6,926 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 Stout is in Menomonie, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Stout is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Stout 18:1.

Central College vs. UW-Stout Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UW-Stout? 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 Stout than Central College ($15,673 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Stout are 25.3% lower than at Central College ($9,008 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 96.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Stout (about $10,287 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $10,701.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Stout (about $1,723 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $19,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Stout (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 119.8% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Stout students ($13,925 vs. $6,335).

Central College vs. UW-Stout Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or UW-Stout? 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 UW-Stout and Central College.

• Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UW-Stout).
• 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 Stout 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; UW-Stout - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Stout Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UW-Stout (3.35).
• UW-Stout has a higher acceptance rate (87.7%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 24.4% at UW-Stout.

Central College vs. UW-Stout Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and UW-Stout? 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 Stout's (53%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than UW-Stout graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Stout graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-Stout graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Stout students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

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.