Aurora University vs. Central College

Aurora University and Central College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Aurora University
Central College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Aurora University (80.9% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Aurora University. Average net price is $19,053 vs $23,848 at Central College.
  • Graduation: Aurora University 44% vs Central College 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Aurora University $42,900 vs Central College $48,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Aurora University Central College
Acceptance rate
Aurora University more selective
Aurora University80.9%
Central College86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Aurora University higher
Aurora University900-1150
Central College1056-1120
Average net price
Aurora University $4,795 less
Aurora University$19,053
Central College$23,848
In-state tuition
Central College $8,182 less
Aurora University$29,170
Central College$20,988
Out-of-state tuition
Central College $8,182 less
Aurora University$29,170
Central College$20,988
Graduation rate
Central College +19 pts
Aurora University44%
Central College63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central College +$5,100
Aurora University$42,900
Central College$48,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Aurora University and Central College with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Aurora University Check my chances at Central College
  • Applied
  • Aurora University 5,384
  • Central College 1,706
  • Admitted
  • Aurora University 4,353
  • Central College 1,470
  • Acceptance rate
  • Aurora University 80.9%
  • Central College 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Aurora University 15.6%
  • Central College 21%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Aurora University 1030
  • Central College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Aurora University 25
  • Central College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Aurora University 3.56
  • Central College 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Aurora University A-
  • Central College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Aurora University Moderate
  • Central College Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Aurora University
  • Central College
  • SAT range
  • Aurora University 900-1150
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • ACT range
  • Aurora University 21-29
  • Central College 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Aurora University Test optional
  • Central College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Aurora University
  • Central College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Aurora University $29,170
  • Central College $20,988
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Aurora University $29,170
  • Central College $20,988
  • Room & board
  • Aurora University $13,580
  • Central College $12,060
  • Average net price
  • Aurora University $19,053
  • Central College $23,848
  • Average grant aid
  • Aurora University $21,513
  • Central College $13,925
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Aurora University 99%
  • Central College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Aurora University 44%
  • Central College 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Aurora University $42,900
  • Central College $48,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Aurora University 63%
  • Central College 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Aurora University $22,337
  • Central College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Aurora University $230
  • Central College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Aurora University 18:1
  • Central College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Aurora University
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • Aurora University Aurora, IL
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • Setting
  • Aurora University Large Suburban
  • Central College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Aurora University 5,923
  • Central College 1,084
  • Type
  • Aurora University Private 4 Year
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Aurora University #734
  • Central College #506

Comparable Facts

Compare Aurora University in Aurora, IL with Central College in Pella, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Aurora University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (5,923 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Aurora University is located in Aurora, IL (Large Suburban setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Aurora University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Aurora University 18:1; Central College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 11.2% lower than at Aurora University ($12,060 vs. $13,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 39% higher at Aurora University than at Central College (about $8,182 more per year; $29,170 vs. $20,988).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Aurora University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Aurora University students is 54.5% larger than aid received by Central College students ($21,513 vs. $13,925).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Aurora University than at Central College (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Aurora University and Central College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Aurora University average a 3.56 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Central College (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Aurora University vs. 21% at Central College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Aurora University graduates have a $4,663 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($22,337 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Aurora University graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Aurora University students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Aurora University
Central College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges