SIUE vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Central College 11:1.

SIUE vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SIUE 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville than Central College ($17,115 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 16.8% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($12,060 vs. $14,490).
• Central College is 62.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SIUE (about $8,066 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.4% higher at Central College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $8,066 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $12,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 20% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($13,925 vs. $11,602).

SIUE vs. Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SIUE 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 SIUE.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 20 points higher than at SIUE (1070).
• Incoming SIUE students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Central College (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 950/1190; Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 20/27; Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SIUE - Test optional; Central College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SIUE students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Central College (3.52).
• SIUE has a higher acceptance rate (97.5%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 21% at Central College.

SIUE vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SIUE 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 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's (52%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than SIUE graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $5,570 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,430 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($221 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 61%)

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.