Academic Comparison between Central and UI

Central College and University of Iowa are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Central is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Pella, IA and UI is a four-year, public school located in Iowa City, IA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Central is a private (not-for-profit) and UI is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • UI has more expensive tuition & fees ($33,371) than Central ($20,988).
  • It is harder to admit to UI than Central.
  • UI has a higher submitted SAT score (1,100) than Central (1,100).
  • UI has higher submitted ACT score (23) than Central (23).
  • UI has more students with 30,779 students while Central has 1,084 students.
  • Central has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while UI's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • UI has more full-time faculties with 2,474 faculties while Central has 88 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Central Collegevs.University of Iowa
Pella, IowaLocationIowa City, Iowa
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$20,9882025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$11,283
Out-Of-State$33,371
97%% Receiving Financial Aid69%
$12,354Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,070
86.17 %Acceptance Rates83.62 %
21.02 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)22.43 %
1,100SAT Score1,230
23ACT Score24
66 %Graduation Rate75 %
30 %Transfer-out Rate17 %
80 %Retention Rate90 %
1,084Student Population30,779
88Number of Faculties2,474
11 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio16 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare