Central College vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Central College vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Cottey 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 Cottey College than Central College ($14,704 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 6.8% lower than at Central College ($11,240 vs. $12,060).
• Cottey College is 31.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $6,574 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.3% higher at Cottey College than at Central College (about $6,574 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Cottey College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 76.4% larger than aid received by Central College students ($24,565 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 10 points higher than at Cottey College (1080).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Cottey College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Cottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

Central College vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Cottey 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).

• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($12,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($124 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cottey College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 61%)

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.