Blackburn College vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Central College in Pella, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Central College 11:1.

Blackburn College vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Central College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Blackburn College than Central College ($18,460 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 17.8% lower than at Central College ($9,915 vs. $12,060).
• Blackburn College is 34.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $7,161 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Blackburn College than at Central College (about $7,161 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at Central College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 39.7% larger than aid received by Central College students ($19,456 vs. $13,925).

Blackburn College vs. Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Central College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Central College and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 80 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Central College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 21% at Central College.

Blackburn College vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Central College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Blackburn College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.