Central College vs. Harris-Stowe State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Harris Stowe State University in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than Harris-Stowe State University based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Harris Stowe State University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Harris Stowe State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Harris Stowe State University 12:1.

Central College vs. Harris-Stowe State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Harris-Stowe State University? 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 Harris Stowe State University than Central College ($9,418 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harris Stowe State University are 11% lower than at Central College ($10,728 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 199.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Harris-Stowe State University (about $13,980 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $7,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.3% higher at Central College than at Harris Stowe State University (about $9,348 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $11,640.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Harris Stowe State University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 13% larger than aid received by Harris Stowe State University students ($13,925 vs. $12,325).

Central College vs. Harris-Stowe State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Harris-Stowe State University? 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 Harris-Stowe State University and Central College.

• Harris Stowe State University reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Harris-Stowe State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Harris-Stowe State University (3.04).

Central College vs. Harris-Stowe State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Harris-Stowe State University? 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 Harris Stowe State University's (8%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than Harris-Stowe State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $30,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central College graduates have a $25 lower median loan debt than Harris-Stowe State University graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,025).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Harris Stowe State University 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 Harris-Stowe State University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 27%)

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.