Central College vs. Cox College

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than Cox College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Cox College is in Springfield, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Cox College 8:1.

Central College vs. Cox College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Cox College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 11.7% lower than at Cox College ($12,060 vs. $13,664).
• Central College is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cox College (about $6,166 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $14,822.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.6% higher at Central College than at Cox College (about $6,166 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $14,822.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Cox College (100% vs. 0%).

Central College vs. Cox College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Cox College - Required.
• Cox College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 100% at Cox College.

Central College vs. Cox College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Cox 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).

• Cox College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Cox College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cox College graduates have a $6,816 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($20,184 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cox College graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cox College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 60%)

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.