Central College vs. Mount Marty University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Mount Marty University in Yankton, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Marty University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,284 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Mount Marty University is in Yankton, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Marty University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Mount Marty University 12:1.

Central College vs. Mount Marty University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Mount Marty 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 Mount Marty University than Central College ($22,242 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Marty University are 18.7% lower than at Central College ($9,800 vs. $12,060).
• Mount Marty University is 64.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $13,612 more per year; $34,600.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.9% higher at Mount Marty University than at Central College (about $13,612 more per year; $34,600.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Mount Marty University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Marty University students is 87.4% larger than aid received by Central College students ($26,097 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Mount Marty University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Mount Marty 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 Mount Marty University and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 160 points higher than at Mount Marty University (930).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Mount Marty University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Mount Marty University 810/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Mount Marty University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Mount Marty University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Mount Marty University (3.35).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Mount Marty University (42.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 22.8% at Mount Marty University.

Central College vs. Mount Marty University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Mount Marty 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 Mount Marty University's (51%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Mount Marty University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Marty University and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Mount Marty 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 Mount Marty University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 65%)

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.