Central College vs. Edgewood College

Comparable Facts

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

Edgewood College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,459 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Edgewood College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Edgewood College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Edgewood College 15:1.

Central College vs. Edgewood College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Edgewood 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 Edgewood College ($23,848 vs. $27,038).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 9% lower than at Edgewood College ($12,060 vs. $13,250).
• Edgewood College is 70.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $14,872 more per year; $35,860.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.9% higher at Edgewood College than at Central College (about $14,872 more per year; $35,860.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Edgewood College (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Edgewood College students is 71.5% larger than aid received by Central College students ($23,885 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Edgewood College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Edgewood 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 Edgewood 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; Edgewood College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Edgewood College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Edgewood College (3.5).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Edgewood College (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 16% at Edgewood College.

Central College vs. Edgewood College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Edgewood 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 Edgewood College's (51%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Edgewood College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Edgewood College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Edgewood College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Edgewood College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

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.