Central's tuition & fees has increased from $33,345 (2015) to $20,988 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 37.06% over the past 10 years.
The 2025 tuition & fees are the same as last year (2024) at Central College.
Central's tuition increase rate is lower than the Iowa's average increase rate of 57.31%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is lower than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by -21.11% from 2015 ($47,878).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, Central's COA is $37,773, which is increased by 0.13% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to Central's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have decreased 37.06% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $20,988. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Central College over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,335, and it has increased 12.37% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,188 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $1,253 | 5.47% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $1,339 | 6.86% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $1,323 | -1.19% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $1,323 | |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $1,323 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $1,341 | 1.36% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $1,275 | -4.92% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,275 | |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $1,335 | 4.71% |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 15.56% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 15.56% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Central College.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $13,345 | $13,345 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $13,349 | $13,349 | 0.03% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $13,278 | $13,278 | -0.53% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $13,479 | $13,479 | 1.51% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $13,479 | $13,479 | |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $13,396 | $13,396 | -0.62% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $13,711 | $13,711 | 2.35% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $14,102 | $14,102 | 2.85% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $15,462 | $15,462 | 9.64% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $15,450 | $15,450 | -0.08% |
|---|
Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Central College and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Central College | $20,988 | $20,988 | - |
|---|
|
| Drake University | $51,960 | $49,944 | 4.04% |
|---|
|
| Upper Iowa University | $19,475 | $19,000 | 2.50% |
|---|
|
| Maharishi International University | $16,530 | $16,530 | - |
|---|
|
| Saint Ambrose University | $36,658 | $35,598 | 2.98% |
|---|
|
| Waldorf University | $25,978 | $25,220 | 3.01% |
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