IU Northwest vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN with Central College in Pella, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Northwest is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (3,041 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Northwest is located in Gary, IN (Small City setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Northwest 15:1; Central College 11:1.

IU Northwest vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest than Central College ($5,745 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 9% lower than at Central College ($10,972 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 149.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $12,564 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at IU Northwest than at Central College (about $1,823 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Indiana University Northwest (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 67.2% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($13,925 vs. $8,327).

IU Northwest vs. Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 40 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 910/1180; Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Northwest 18/26; Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU Northwest - Test optional; Central College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.5% at IU Northwest vs. 21% at Central College.

IU Northwest vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU Northwest 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 Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $1,970 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,030 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU Northwest 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 IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 33%)

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.