Central College vs. AMU

Should I go to Central College or Ave Maria University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College or AMU 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. Ave Maria University comparison
Central College Ave Maria University College 3 College 4
Central College Ave Maria University
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Overview

 Central College AMU
Location Pella, IA Ave Maria, FL
Setting Distant Town Distant Rural
Enrollment 1,169 1,310
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #598
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu avemaria.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central College AMU
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $25,168
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $25,168
Room & Board $10,860 $13,402
Avg Net Price $23,303 $21,078
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $21,341
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Central College AMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 3,404
Admitted 1,561 1,505
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 44.2%
Enrolled % 22.5% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.6
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 21/28
SAT Range 1040/1218 1018/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

 Central College AMU
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%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (22%)
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • English and Literature (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (11%)
  • Biology (9%)

Outcomes

 Central College AMU
Graduation Rate 63% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,428
Median Loan Payment $279 $231

Diversity

 Central College AMU
% Men 52% 46%
% Women 48% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 87% 61%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 15%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 0%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 13%

Students

 Central College AMU
% In-State 73% 32%
% Out-of-State 26% 66%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ave Maria University is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,310 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. AMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or AMU?

  • Ave Maria University is 27.1% more expensive to attend than Central College for in-state tuition ($25,168.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.1% higher at AMU than Central College ($25,168.00 vs. $19,800.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ave Maria University than Central College ($21,078 vs. $23,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 23.4% lower than costs at Ave Maria University ($10,860 vs. $13,402)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as Ave Maria University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ave Maria University students is 94% larger than aid received Central College ($21,341 vs. $10,999)

Central College vs. AMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Ave Maria University (1098) is 30 points higher than at Central College (1068)
  • Incoming AMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Central College (23)
  • Accepted freshman AMU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Central College (3.52)
  • Central College has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than AMU (44.2%)

Central College vs. AMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College or AMU? 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 AMU and Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than Ave Maria University (63% vs. 41%)
  • Ave Maria University students graduate with a $4,572 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($22,428 vs. $27,000)
  • AMU graduates are paying $48 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($231 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AMU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 53%)

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