Central College
Private nonprofit four-year college in Pella, IA that costs an average of $22,894 a year after financial aid, admits 86% of applicants and graduates 59% of full-time students.
Private nonprofitTown (distant)1,070 undergraduates
Cost of Central College
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $37,773 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $21,934 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $12,060 |
| Books and supplies | $1,335 |
| Average net price after aid | $22,894 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $16,038 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $13,545 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $17,397 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $22,140 |
| $110,001+ | $26,636 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with Central College's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 86% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,147 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 528–560 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 528–560 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 20–26 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 59% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 80% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $52,192 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $57,387 |
| Rank in Iowa (earnings) | 22nd of 31 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $25,125 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $286 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 23% |
| Students with federal loans | 65% |
Majors and programs at Central College
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (36)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | 31 | $62,338 | $24,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 90 | $59,421 | $25,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 37 | $45,218 | $24,500 |
| Sociology | 26 | $44,497 | $25,125 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | — | $42,088 | $27,000 |
| Psychology | 28 | $39,912 | $21,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | — | — | — |
| Anthropology | — | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 9 | — | — |
| Biology | 50 | — | $26,907 |
| Chemistry | 5 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 27 | — | $25,250 |
| Computer Science | 19 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 3 | — | — |
| Economics | 8 | — | — |
| Engineering | 14 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 11 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 9 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| History | 10 | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | 5 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 7 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 7 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 2 | — | — |
| Music | 10 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 12 | — | — |
| Natural Sciences | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | 6 | — | — |
| Physics | 3 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 79 | — | $27,000 |
| Political Science and Government | 15 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | — | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 20 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | 5 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 3 | — | — |
Similar colleges in Iowa
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loras College | Dubuque | $22,910 | 100% | $63,900 |
| Cornell College | Mount Vernon | $25,297 | 80% | $57,224 |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | $23,935 | 83% | $59,669 |
| Morningside University | Sioux City | $23,505 | 71% | $58,902 |
| Coe College | Cedar Rapids | $18,647 | 64% | $60,502 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | $24,716 | 80% | $57,028 |
| Simpson College | Indianola | $20,460 | 86% | $57,816 |
| Maharishi International University | Fairfield | $16,579 | 96% | $38,786 |
About Central College
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year college |
|---|---|
| Location | Pella, IA |
| Setting | Town (distant) |
| Undergraduates | 1,070 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 11 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Higher Learning Commission |
| Website | central.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is Central College's acceptance rate?
Central College admits 86% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,147 on the SAT.
How much does Central College cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $37,773 a year (tuition and fees: $21,934). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $22,894 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $16,038.
How much do Central College graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $57,387 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 22nd of 31 similar colleges in Iowa. The best-paid bachelor's program is accounting and related services ($62,338 a year after graduation).
What is Central College's graduation rate?
59% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 80% of first-year students return for a second year.