Central College vs. UIU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Upper Iowa University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (3,941 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Upper Iowa University is in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Upper Iowa University 25:1.

Central College vs. UIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UIU? 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 Upper Iowa University than Central College ($20,426 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 16.1% lower than at Central College ($10,121 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIU (about $1,513 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Central College than at Upper Iowa University (about $1,513 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Upper Iowa University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($13,925 vs. $13,596).

Central College vs. UIU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 20 points higher than at UIU (1070).
• Incoming Central College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Upper Iowa University 970/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Upper Iowa University 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; UIU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UIU (3.34).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 33.9% at UIU.

Central College vs. UIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and UIU? 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 Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than UIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 50%)

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.