Central College vs. College of Saint Mary

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than College of Saint Mary based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); College of Saint Mary is in Omaha, NE (Large City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; College of Saint Mary 8:1.

Central College vs. College of Saint Mary Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or College of Saint Mary? 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 College of Saint Mary than Central College ($17,078 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Mary are 24.7% lower than at Central College ($9,084 vs. $12,060).
• College of Saint Mary is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $3,522 more per year; $24,510.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at College of Saint Mary than at Central College (about $3,522 more per year; $24,510.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at College of Saint Mary (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Mary students is 35.3% larger than aid received by Central College students ($18,847 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. College of Saint Mary Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or College of Saint Mary? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between College of Saint Mary and Central College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; College of Saint Mary - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Central College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at College of Saint Mary (3.4).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than College of Saint Mary (44.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 35.3% at College of Saint Mary.

Central College vs. College of Saint Mary Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and College of Saint Mary? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than College of Saint Mary's (30%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than College of Saint Mary graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $41,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Saint Mary graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, College of Saint Mary graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former College of Saint Mary 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.