Central College vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Wartburg College in Waverly, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wartburg College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,483 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Central College vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Wartburg College? 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 Central College than Wartburg College ($23,848 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wartburg College are 2.6% lower than at Central College ($11,750 vs. $12,060).
• Wartburg College is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $5,262 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.1% higher at Wartburg College than at Central College (about $5,262 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Wartburg College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 189.7% larger than aid received by Central College students ($40,336 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 20 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Central College vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Wartburg College? 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).

• The graduation rate at Central College is the same as at Wartburg College (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wartburg College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Wartburg College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 78%)

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.