North Central College vs. Alfred University

Should I go to North Central College or Alfred University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Central College or Alfred University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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North Central College vs. Alfred University comparison
North Central College Alfred University College 3 College 4
North Central College Alfred University
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Overview

North Central College Alfred University
Location Naperville, IL Alfred, NY
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 2,856 1,843
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #349 #292
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northcentralcollege.edu alfred.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Central College Alfred University
Tuition (In State) $44,114 $38,270
Tuition (Out of State) $44,114 $38,270
Room & Board $12,434 $14,240
Avg Net Price $24,190 $26,127
Avg Grant Aid $30,619 $28,371
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

North Central College Alfred University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,241 7,761
Admitted 3,056 3,751
Acceptance Rate 58.3% 48.3%
Enrolled % 16.9% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 23/27 24/31
SAT Range 1065/1280 1100/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 15, 2026 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

North Central College Alfred University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • English and Literature (4%)

Outcomes

North Central College Alfred University
Graduation Rate 64% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $45,700
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

North Central College Alfred University
% Men 4% 6%
% Women 12% 17%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 71% 66%
% Black 4% 9%
% Hispanic 11% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 10%

Students

North Central College Alfred University
% In-State 79% 72%
% Out-of-State 18% 20%

Campus

North Central College Alfred University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Central College is larger than than Alfred University based on total student enrollment (2,856 students vs. 1,843 students)

North Central College vs. Alfred University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or Alfred University?

  • North Central College is 15.3% more expensive to attend than Alfred University for in-state tuition ($44,114.00 vs. $38,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.3% higher at North Central College than Alfred University ($44,114.00 vs. $38,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Central College than Alfred University ($24,190 vs. $26,127)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Central College are 14.5% lower than costs at Alfred University ($12,434 vs. $14,240)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Central College than Alfred University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 7.9% larger than aid received Alfred University ($30,619 vs. $28,371)

North Central College vs. Alfred University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College or Alfred University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Alfred University or North Central College .

  • The average SAT score at North Central College (1125) is 68 points higher than at Alfred University (1057)
  • Incoming North Central College students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Alfred University (25)
  • Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Alfred University (3.4)
  • North Central College has a higher acceptance rate (58.3%) than Alfred University (48.3%)

North Central College vs. Alfred University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Central College or Alfred University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Alfred University and North Central College.

  • The graduation rate at North Central College is higher than Alfred University (64% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from North Central College earn on average $3,200 more per year than Alfred University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $45,700)
  • North Central College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Alfred University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • North Central College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Alfred University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alfred University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/