Dominican vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University in River Forest, IL with Central College in Pella, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dominican University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (3,803 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University 12:1; Central College 11:1.

Dominican vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dominican or Central 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 Dominican University than Central College ($13,402 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 5.2% lower than at Dominican University ($12,060 vs. $12,716).
• Dominican University is 85.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $17,990 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.7% higher at Dominican than at Central College (about $17,990 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University as at Central College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 120.9% larger than aid received by Central College students ($30,756 vs. $13,925).

Dominican vs. Central College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 100 points higher than at Dominican (990).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Dominican).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 880/1100; Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 16/26; Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dominican - Test optional; Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Dominican vs. 21% at Central College.

Dominican vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dominican and Central 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 Dominican is the same as at Central College (63% vs. 63%).
• Graduates of Dominican University and Central College have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $48,000), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dominican University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dominican graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dominican students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 64%)

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.