Central College vs. Mount St. Joseph University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Joseph University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,265 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Mount St. Joseph University is in Cincinnati, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount St. Joseph University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Mount St. Joseph University 12:1.

Central College vs. Mount St. Joseph University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Mount St. Joseph University? 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 Mount St. Joseph University than Central College ($17,094 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount St. Joseph University are 4.3% lower than at Central College ($11,540 vs. $12,060).
• Mount St. Joseph University is 81.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $17,162 more per year; $38,150.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.8% higher at Mount St. Joseph University than at Central College (about $17,162 more per year; $38,150.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Mount St. Joseph University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount St. Joseph University students is 110.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($29,257 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Mount St. Joseph University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Mount St. Joseph University? 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 Mount St. Joseph University and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 50 points higher than at Mount St. Joseph University (1040).
• Incoming Mount St. Joseph University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Central College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Mount St. Joseph University 930/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Mount St. Joseph University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Mount St. Joseph University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mount St. Joseph University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Mount St. Joseph University (59.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 24.6% at Mount St. Joseph University.

Central College vs. Mount St. Joseph University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Mount St. Joseph University? 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 Mount St. Joseph University's (59%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Mount St. Joseph University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $44,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Mount St. Joseph University graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Central College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount St. Joseph University graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount St. Joseph University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 59%)

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.