Central Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 86.17%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1100. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- Tuition: $20,988
- Tuition is moderate, reflecting a balance between quality and cost.
Student Population at Central:
- Total Enrollment: 1,084
- All Undergraduate
- Gender Distribution: 54.9% men, 45.1% women.
- This is a small institution, fostering a close-knit community and individualized attention.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 66%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 30%. A significant portion of students transfer to other institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 80%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 36 academic programs available.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Bachelor's.
Central Overview
Central College (Central) is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Pella, IA. It is classified as Baccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences by Carnegie Classification
The Central's tuition & fees is $20,988 for the academic year 2024-2025. 97% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $12,354.
The school has a total enrollment of 1,084 and the students to faculty ratio is 11 to 1 (9.09%).
Central's acceptance rate is 86.17% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 21.02%. The median SAT score is 1100 and the ACT score is 23.
Central ranked 197th in Liberal Arts Colleges and 18th in Iowa Colleges rankings. Central College is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Central College is $20,988.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $20,988 based on the current year tuition changes from last year.
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Central College offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for undergraduate programs.
Special Learning Opportunities at Central
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | No |
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| Weekend/Evening College | No |
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| Teacher Certification | Yes |
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| Study Abroad | Yes |
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| On-Campus Services |
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| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
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| Employment services for students | Yes |
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| Placement services for completers | Yes |
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| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
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Central College Directory Information
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