Bethel University vs. Central College

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

Bethel University
Central College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central College (86.2% admitted vs 97.7%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: Bethel University. Average net price is $19,494 vs $23,848 at Central College.
  • Graduation: Bethel University 49% vs Central College 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Bethel University $39,400 vs Central College $48,000 (median).
See your own chances ->
Acceptance rate
Central College more selective
Bethel University97.7%
Central College86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bethel University higher
Bethel University900-1150
Central College1056-1120
Average net price
Bethel University $4,354 less
Bethel University$19,494
Central College$23,848
In-state tuition
Central College $13,612 less
Bethel University$34,600
Central College$20,988
Out-of-state tuition
Central College $13,612 less
Bethel University$34,600
Central College$20,988
Graduation rate
Central College +14 pts
Bethel University49%
Central College63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central College +$8,600
Bethel University$39,400
Central College$48,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

  • Applied
  • Bethel University 985
  • Central College 1,706
  • Admitted
  • Bethel University 962
  • Central College 1,470
  • Acceptance rate
  • Bethel University 97.7%
  • Central College 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Bethel University 27.4%
  • Central College 21%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Bethel University 1030
  • Central College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Bethel University 20
  • Central College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Bethel University 3.46
  • Central College 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • Bethel University B+
  • Central College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Bethel University Very Easy
  • Central College Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Bethel University
  • Central College
  • SAT range
  • Bethel University 900-1150
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • ACT range
  • Bethel University 16-24
  • Central College 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • Bethel University Test optional
  • Central College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Bethel University Aug 15, 2027
  • Central College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Bethel University $34,600
  • Central College $20,988
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Bethel University $34,600
  • Central College $20,988
  • Room & board
  • Bethel University $11,140
  • Central College $12,060
  • Average net price
  • Bethel University $19,494
  • Central College $23,848
  • Average grant aid
  • Bethel University $25,046
  • Central College $13,925
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Bethel University 95%
  • Central College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Bethel University 49%
  • Central College 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Bethel University $39,400
  • Central College $48,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Bethel University 64%
  • Central College 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Bethel University $26,065
  • Central College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Bethel University $269
  • Central College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Bethel University 12:1
  • Central College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Bethel University
    • Business (33%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • Bethel University Mishawaka, IN
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • Setting
  • Bethel University Small City
  • Central College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Bethel University 1,167
  • Central College 1,084
  • Type
  • Bethel University Private 4 Year
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Bethel University #847
  • Central College #506

Comparable Facts

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

Bethel University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,167 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Bethel University is located in Mishawaka, IN (Small City setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethel University 12:1; Central College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 7.6% lower than at Central College ($11,140 vs. $12,060).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 64.9% higher at Bethel University than at Central College (about $13,612 more per year; $34,600 vs. $20,988).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Bethel University (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 79.9% larger than aid received by Central College students ($25,046 vs. $13,925).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Central College than at Bethel University (23 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Bethel University and Central College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bethel University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Central College average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Bethel University (3.46).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.4% at Bethel University vs. 21% at Central College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethel University graduates have a $935 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($26,065 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bethel University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($269 vs. $279).
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel University students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 64%).

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.

Bethel University
Central College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges