Central College vs. Bethel University

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

Central College
Bethel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central College (86.2% admitted vs 87.8%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Central College. Average net price is $23,848 vs $31,738 at Bethel University.
  • Graduation: Central College 63% vs Bethel University 73%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central College $48,000 vs Bethel University $50,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Central College Bethel University
Acceptance rate
Central College more selective
Central College86.2%
Bethel University87.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Bethel University higher
Central College1056-1120
Bethel University1190-1300
Average net price
Central College $7,890 less
Central College$23,848
Bethel University$31,738
In-state tuition
Central College $23,238 less
Central College$20,988
Bethel University$44,226
Out-of-state tuition
Central College $23,238 less
Central College$20,988
Bethel University$44,226
Graduation rate
Bethel University +10 pts
Central College63%
Bethel University73%
Median earnings (10 years)
Bethel University +$2,100
Central College$48,000
Bethel University$50,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Central College Check my chances at Bethel University
  • Applied
  • Central College 1,706
  • Bethel University 1,754
  • Admitted
  • Central College 1,470
  • Bethel University 1,540
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central College 86.2%
  • Bethel University 87.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central College 21%
  • Bethel University 26.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central College 1090
  • Bethel University 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central College 23
  • Bethel University 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central College 3.52
  • Bethel University 3.6
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central College A-
  • Bethel University A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Central College Easy
  • Bethel University Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Central College
  • Bethel University
  • SAT range
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • Bethel University 1190-1300
  • ACT range
  • Central College 20-26
  • Bethel University 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Central College Test optional
  • Bethel University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Central College
  • Bethel University May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central College $20,988
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central College $20,988
  • Bethel University $44,226
  • Room & board
  • Central College $12,060
  • Bethel University $12,170
  • Average net price
  • Central College $23,848
  • Bethel University $31,738
  • Average grant aid
  • Central College $13,925
  • Bethel University $26,886
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central College 100%
  • Bethel University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central College 63%
  • Bethel University 73%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central College $48,000
  • Bethel University $50,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central College 78%
  • Bethel University 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central College $27,000
  • Bethel University $24,400
  • Median loan payment
  • Central College $279
  • Bethel University $252
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central College 11:1
  • Bethel University 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Bethel University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • Bethel University Saint Paul, MN
  • Setting
  • Central College Distant Town
  • Bethel University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Central College 1,084
  • Bethel University 3,603
  • Type
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • Bethel University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central College #506
  • Bethel University #387

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Bethel University in Saint Paul, MN 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 (3,603 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Bethel University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
  • Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Bethel University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 0.9% lower than at Bethel University ($12,060 vs. $12,170).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 110.7% higher at Bethel University than at Central College (about $23,238 more per year; $44,226 vs. $20,988).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Bethel University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bethel University students is 93.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($26,886 vs. $13,925).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Bethel University than at Central College (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Central College and Bethel University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Bethel University May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Bethel University average a 3.6 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at Central College (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 26.9% at Bethel University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Bethel University graduates have a $2,600 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($24,400 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Bethel University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($252 vs. $279).
  • More Bethel University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 78%).

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.

Central College
Bethel University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges