Milikin vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

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

Millikin University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,586 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Millikin University is located in Decatur, IL (Small City setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Millikin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Millikin University 10:1; Central College 11:1.

Milikin vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Milikin 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 Millikin University than Central College ($22,813 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 11.9% lower than at Millikin University ($12,060 vs. $13,695).
• Millikin University is 28.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $5,904 more per year; $26,892.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.1% higher at Milikin than at Central College (about $5,904 more per year; $26,892.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Millikin University as at Central College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Millikin University students is 149.4% larger than aid received by Central College students ($34,733 vs. $13,925).

Milikin vs. Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Milikin 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 Milikin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 90 points higher than at Milikin (1000).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Milikin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Millikin University 860/1130; Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Millikin University 18/25; Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Milikin - Test optional; Central College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Milikin (3.4).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Milikin (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10% at Milikin vs. 21% at Central College.

Milikin vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Milikin 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).

• Millikin University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $900 more per year than Milikin graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central College and Milikin graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Central College and Milikin graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Milikin students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 66%)

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.