Central College vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Central College vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Bethany 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 Bethany College than Central College ($19,035 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 8.7% lower than at Bethany College ($12,060 vs. $13,210).
• Bethany College is 75.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $15,777 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.2% higher at Bethany College than at Central College (about $15,777 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Bethany College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 127.3% larger than aid received by Central College students ($31,646 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Bethany 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 Bethany College and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 100 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Central College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Bethany College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Central College vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Bethany 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 Bethany College's (48%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Bethany College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central College graduates have a $3,884 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($27,000 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Central College graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($279 vs. $319).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethany College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 56%)

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.