Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Pella, Iowa |
| Online | central.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | Reformed Church in America |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Located in Pella, Iowa, a Dutch-influenced town approximately 40 miles southeast of Des Moines, Central College is a private liberal arts institution affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. The 130-acre campus combines modern academic facilities with historic Dutch-style architecture, reflecting the town's cultural heritage. Central College operates on a 4-1-4 academic calendar and offers undergraduate programs across more than 40 majors, with particular strengths in business management, education, and natural sciences. The institution maintains a residential campus where most students live in college housing, and all students complete an experiential learning requirement through internships, research, or study abroad programs, with notable opportunities at Central's long-established study centers in Europe. The college competes in NCAA Division III athletics as the Dutch, participating in the American Rivers Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Central College is rated within the top 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Central College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#548 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#380 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#13 in Best Colleges in Iowa
#10 in Best Private Colleges in Iowa
#533 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#13 in Best Value Colleges in Iowa
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 935/1205 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| GPA | 3.52 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $25 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,275 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $12,220 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,242 |
| Total One Year Cost | $37,725 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 17% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 13% |
| Social Sciences | 12% |
| Biology | 8% |
| Foreign Languages | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Central College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153108 IPEDS survey data for Central College.
Current students may use the Central College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025