Central College

6/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Pella, IA
0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

1,084

Location Pella, Iowa
Website central.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Distant Town
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America

Size Small
Status Non-profit
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.

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Ratings

Central College is rated within the top 47% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10.

Overall Rating

6 out of 10
Academics

5 out of 10
Resources

8 out of 10
Outcomes

6 out of 10
Value

5 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Central College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Easy

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1056/1120
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 20/26
GPA 3.52

Acceptance Rate

86.2%

Applications Due -
Enrollment Rate 21%
Application Fee $25

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$20,988

Costs for Central College
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$20,988
Books and Supplies		$1,335
Other Fees		$0
Room and Board		$12,060
Budget for Other Expenses		$3,390
Total One Year Cost		$37,773

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$48,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

63% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Central College are Business, Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies, and Social Sciences. 17% of students major in Business, 13% in Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies, and 12% in Social Sciences.