EIU vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Central College 11:1.

EIU vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than Central College ($13,787 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 1.8% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($12,060 vs. $12,282).
• Central College is 53.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $7,309 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.4% higher at Central College than at Eastern Illinois University (about $4,771 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 7.4% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($13,925 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 100 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; Central College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at EIU (3.39).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 21% at Central College.

EIU vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Eastern Illinois University's (59%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $3,350 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,650 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 59%)

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.