The average acceptance rate at Central over the past 10 years is 72.59%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 86.17%. Compared to the previous year, it became much easier to gain admission to Central in 2025. The acceptance rate at Central is relatively high, giving applicants a greater chance of admission.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 17.62%, and the 2025 yield is 21.02%. Overall, the yield has increased by 30.90% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of Central applicants decreased by 13.75% (272 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 44.45% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 86.17%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that Central is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 21.02%. This rising yield trend demonstrates that Central is increasingly successful at converting admitted students into enrolled students. An increasing yield rate suggests stronger student preference for Central and indicates that the institution's admitted class quality and perceived value continue to improve.
For the 2025 admission cycle, Central received approximately 1,706 applications, admitted 1,470 students, and enrolled 309 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing Central's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
Central 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Central over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 72.59%, while the most recent rate stands at 86.17%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 86.17%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 72.33% and for women is 72.67%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Central have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 64.28% | 63.98% | 64.51% |
| 2016-17 | 73.43% 9.15% |
72.28% 8.30% |
74.20% 9.70% |
| 2017-18 | 70.09% -3.33% |
68.47% -3.81% |
71.24% -2.96% |
| 2018-19 | 69.99% -0.11% |
68.78% 0.31% |
70.99% -0.25% |
| 2019-20 | 65.07% -4.92% |
65.68% -3.10% |
64.49% -6.51% |
| 2020-21 | 63.68% -1.39% |
62.45% -3.22% |
65.18% 0.69% |
| 2021-22 | 75.02% 11.35% |
74.98% 12.53% |
73.97% 8.80% |
| 2022-23 | 79.24% 4.22% |
78.78% 3.80% |
79.73% 5.75% |
| 2023-24 | 78.97% -0.27% |
80.80% 2.02% |
77.10% -2.63% |
| 2024-25 | 86.17% 7.20% |
87.06% 6.26% |
85.28% 8.18% |
| Average | 72.59% | 72.33% | 72.67% |
Central has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 16.06% in 2015 to 21.02% in 2025, representing a 30.90% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 17.62%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Central from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 30.90% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 16.06% | 17.95% | 14.61% |
| 2016-17 | 11.28% -4.78% |
14.16% -3.79% |
9.39% -5.22% |
| 2017-18 | 11.44% 0.16% |
15.91% 1.75% |
8.41% -0.98% |
| 2018-19 | 14.33% 2.89% |
15.21% -0.70% |
13.62% 5.21% |
| 2019-20 | 19.27% 4.94% |
21.95% 6.74% |
16.67% 3.05% |
| 2020-21 | 21.81% 2.54% |
21.74% -0.21% |
21.90% 5.23% |
| 2021-22 | 21.00% -0.81% |
20.96% -0.78% |
20.99% -0.91% |
| 2022-23 | 22.49% 1.48% |
23.94% 2.98% |
20.95% -0.04% |
| 2023-24 | 17.54% -4.94% |
18.32% -5.62% |
16.71% -4.24% |
| 2024-25 | 21.02% 3.48% |
21.56% 3.24% |
20.37% 3.66% |
| Average | 17.62% | 19.17% | 16.36% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 2,664, the average number of admitted is 1,908, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 318.
The number of Central applicants decreased by 13.75% (272 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 44.45% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Central College from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 3,071 | 1,974 | 317 |
| 2016-17 | 3,899 26.96% |
2,863 45.04% |
323 1.89% |
| 2017-18 | 4,016 3.00% |
2,815 -1.68% |
322 -0.31% |
| 2018-19 | 2,772 -30.98% |
1,940 -31.08% |
278 -13.66% |
| 2019-20 | 2,688 -3.03% |
1,749 -9.85% |
337 21.22% |
| 2020-21 | 2,340 -12.95% |
1,490 -14.81% |
325 -3.56% |
| 2021-22 | 2,202 -5.90% |
1,652 10.87% |
347 6.77% |
| 2022-23 | 1,970 -10.54% |
1,561 -5.51% |
351 1.15% |
| 2023-24 | 1,978 0.41% |
1,562 0.06% |
274 -21.94% |
| 2024-25 | 1,706 -13.75% |
1,470 -5.89% |
309 12.77% |
| Average | 2,664 | 1,908 | 318 |
The following table compares Central College' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central College | 78.97% | 86.17% | 9.12% |
| Drake University | 63.85% | 64.13% | -0.44% |
| Upper Iowa University | 96.46% | 93.38% | 3.30% |
| Maharishi International University | 95.70% | 96.90% | -1.24% |
| Saint Ambrose University | 77.33% | 73.32% | 5.47% |
| Waldorf University | 76.98% | 72.60% | 6.03% |
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