Central College vs. Defiance College

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than Defiance College based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Defiance College is in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Defiance College 11:1.

Central College vs. Defiance College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Defiance 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 Central College than Defiance College ($23,848 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 4.3% lower than at Defiance College ($12,060 vs. $12,606).
• Defiance College is 39.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $8,332 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.7% higher at Defiance College than at Central College (about $8,332 more per year; $29,320.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Defiance College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Defiance College students is 94.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($27,024 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Defiance College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 100 points higher than at Defiance College (990).
• Incoming Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Defiance College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Defiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Defiance College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Defiance College (3.12).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 21.6% at Defiance College.

Central College vs. Defiance College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Defiance 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).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Defiance College's (51%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Defiance College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Defiance College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Defiance College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Defiance College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 58%)

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.