Central College vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina Wesleyan University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,419 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); North Carolina Wesleyan University is in Rocky Mount, NC (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; North Carolina Wesleyan University 13:1.

Central College vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University than Central College ($18,472 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 9.6% lower than at North Carolina Wesleyan University ($12,060 vs. $13,348).
• North Carolina Wesleyan University is 70.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $14,748 more per year; $35,736.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.3% higher at North Carolina Wesleyan University than at Central College (about $14,748 more per year; $35,736.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at North Carolina Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Wesleyan University students is 126.6% larger than aid received by Central College students ($31,552 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 100 points higher than at North Carolina Wesleyan University (990).
• Incoming Central College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at North Carolina Wesleyan University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; North Carolina Wesleyan University 860/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; North Carolina Wesleyan University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; North Carolina Wesleyan University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at North Carolina Wesleyan University (3.2).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than North Carolina Wesleyan University (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 17.5% at North Carolina Wesleyan University.

Central College vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and North Carolina Wesleyan 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 North Carolina Wesleyan University's (22%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates have a $4,282 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($22,718 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, North Carolina Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Wesleyan University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 39%)

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.