Central College vs. Alma College

Should I go to Central College or Alma College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or Alma College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Central College vs. Alma College comparison
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Central College Alma College
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Overview

Central College Alma College
Location Pella, IA Alma, MI
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,169 1,260
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #519
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America Presbyterian Church (USA) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu alma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central College Alma College
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $45,346
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $45,346
Room & Board $10,860 $12,624
Avg Net Price $23,303 $23,995
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $34,736
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Central College Alma College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 3,372
Admitted 1,561 2,180
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 64.7%
Enrolled % 22.5% 15.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1040/1218
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline

Academics

Central College Alma College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Biology (15%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

Central College Alma College
Graduation Rate 63% 67%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Central College Alma College
% Men 52% 47%
% Women 48% 53%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 83%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 4%

Students

Central College Alma College
% In-State 73% 90%
% Out-of-State 26% 6%

Campus

Central College Alma College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Alma College is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,260 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Alma College?

  • Alma College is 129% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($45,346.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 129% higher at Alma College than Central College ($45,346.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Alma College ($23,303 vs. $23,995)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 16.2% lower than costs at Alma College ($10,860 vs. $12,624)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as Alma College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 215.8% larger than aid received Central College ($34,736 vs. $10,999)

Central College vs. Alma College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Alma College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Alma College or Central College .

  • The average SAT score at Alma College (1110) is 42 points higher than at Central College (1068)
  • Incoming Alma College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Central College (23)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Alma College (3.5)
  • Central College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than Alma College (64.7%)

Central College vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or Alma College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Alma College and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Alma College is higher than Central College (67% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Alma College earn on average $300 more per year than Central College graduates after ten years. ($48,300 vs. $48,000)
  • Alma College and Central College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Alma College and Central College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alma College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/