Central College vs. ISU

Central College and Iowa State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Central College
Iowa State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central College (86.2% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: ISU. Average net price is $17,779 vs $23,848 at Central College.
  • Graduation: Central College 63% vs ISU 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central College $48,000 vs ISU $53,700 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Central College Iowa State University
Acceptance rate
Central College more selective
Central College86.2%
ISU88.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ISU higher
Central College1056-1120
ISU1120-1360
Average net price
ISU $6,069 less
Central College$23,848
ISU$17,779
In-state tuition
ISU $10,201 less
Central College$20,988
ISU$10,787
Out-of-state tuition
Central College $7,893 less
Central College$20,988
ISU$28,881
Graduation rate
ISU +5 pts
Central College63%
ISU68%
Median earnings (10 years)
ISU +$5,700
Central College$48,000
ISU$53,700

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Central College and ISU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Central College Check my chances at ISU
  • Applied
  • Central College 1,706
  • ISU 23,095
  • Admitted
  • Central College 1,470
  • ISU 20,475
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central College 86.2%
  • ISU 88.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central College 21%
  • ISU 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central College 1090
  • ISU 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central College 23
  • ISU 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central College 3.52
  • ISU 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central College A-
  • ISU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Central College Easy
  • ISU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Central College
  • ISU
  • SAT range
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • ISU 1120-1360
  • ACT range
  • Central College 20-26
  • ISU 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Central College Test optional
  • ISU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Central College
  • ISU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central College $20,988
  • ISU $10,787
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central College $20,988
  • ISU $28,881
  • Room & board
  • Central College $12,060
  • ISU $10,808
  • Average net price
  • Central College $23,848
  • ISU $17,779
  • Average grant aid
  • Central College $13,925
  • ISU $10,791
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central College 100%
  • ISU 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central College 63%
  • ISU 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central College $48,000
  • ISU $53,700
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central College 78%
  • ISU 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central College $27,000
  • ISU $23,868
  • Median loan payment
  • Central College $279
  • ISU $246
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central College 11:1
  • ISU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • Setting
  • Central College Distant Town
  • ISU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Central College 1,084
  • ISU 30,380
  • Type
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central College #506
  • ISU #343

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Iowa State University in Ames, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Iowa State University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
  • Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 10.4% lower than at Central College ($10,808 vs. $12,060).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at ISU than at Central College (about $7,893 more per year; $28,881 vs. $20,988).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 29% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($13,925 vs. $10,791).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at ISU than at Central College (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Central College and ISU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ISU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Central College (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 28.8% at ISU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Central College
Iowa State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges