Central College vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Woods University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,046 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; William Woods University 16:1.

Central College vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or WWU? 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 WWU ($23,848 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 7.6% lower than at William Woods University ($12,060 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 44.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $9,352 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.6% higher at WWU than at Central College (about $9,352 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at William Woods University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 59.5% larger than aid received by Central College students ($22,204 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or WWU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WWU and Central College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Central College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WWU (3.4).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than WWU (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 23.6% at WWU.

Central College vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and WWU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than William Woods University's (50%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than WWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $5,563 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,437 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($221 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WWU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 68%)

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.