Illinois College vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than Illinois College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 942 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Illinois College vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois College 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 Illinois College than Central College ($17,375 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois College are 0.3% lower than at Central College ($12,026 vs. $12,060).
• Illinois College is 84.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $17,688 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.3% higher at Illinois College than at Central College (about $17,688 more per year; $38,676.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois College as at Central College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois College students is 127% larger than aid received by Central College students ($31,609 vs. $13,925).

Illinois College vs. Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois College 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 Illinois College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 60 points higher than at Illinois College (1030).
• Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Illinois College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 883/1180; Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois College 19/26; Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois College - Test optional; Central College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Illinois College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Illinois College (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.2% at Illinois College vs. 21% at Central College.

Illinois College vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois College 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 Illinois College's (57%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Illinois College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central College and Illinois College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Central College and Illinois College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Illinois College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.