Central College vs. LEC

Comparable Facts

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

Lake Erie College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,108 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Lake Erie College is in Painesville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Erie College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Lake Erie College 12:1.

Central College vs. LEC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or LEC? 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 Lake Erie College than Central College ($22,892 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 7.5% lower than at Lake Erie College ($12,060 vs. $13,036).
• Lake Erie College is 79.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $16,646 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.3% higher at LEC than at Central College (about $16,646 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Lake Erie College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Erie College students is 100.2% larger than aid received by Central College students ($27,879 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. LEC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 60 points higher than at LEC (1030).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at LEC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Lake Erie College 945/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Lake Erie College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; LEC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: LEC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at LEC (3.19).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than LEC (70.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 19.7% at LEC.

Central College vs. LEC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and LEC? 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 Lake Erie College's (53%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than LEC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Erie College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Lake Erie 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 LEC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 62%)

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.