Central College vs. Loras College

Comparable Facts

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

Loras College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,189 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Loras College is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Loras College 12:1.

Central College vs. Loras College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Loras 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 Loras College than Central College ($21,631 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 8.8% lower than at Central College ($11,000 vs. $12,060).
• Loras College is 89.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $18,836 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.7% higher at Loras College than at Central College (about $18,836 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Loras College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 107.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($28,835 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Loras College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Loras 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 Loras 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; Loras College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Loras College (3.48).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 18.6% at Loras College.

Central College vs. Loras College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Loras 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 Loras College's (59%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Loras College and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Loras College and Central College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 78%)

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.