Central College vs. Madison College

Comparable Facts

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

Madison Area Technical College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (13,641 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Madison Area Technical College is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Madison Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Madison Area Technical College 14:1.

Central College vs. Madison College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Madison 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 Madison Area Technical College than Central College ($13,284 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 32.1% lower than at Madison Area Technical College ($12,060 vs. $17,760).
• Central College is 321.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Madison College (about $16,011 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $4,977.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 189.3% higher at Central College than at Madison Area Technical College (about $13,733 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $7,255.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Madison Area Technical College (100% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 137.1% larger than aid received by Madison Area Technical College students ($13,925 vs. $5,872).

Central College vs. Madison College Admissions comparison

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

• Madison Area Technical College 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; Madison College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Madison College Sep 30, 2026.

Central College vs. Madison College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Madison 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).

• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Madison College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Madison Area Technical College graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($13,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Madison College graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Madison College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 46%)

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.