Central College vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central College is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

Central College vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet than Central College ($19,362 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 4% lower than at The University of Olivet ($12,060 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 62.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $13,080 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.3% higher at OC Comets than at Central College (about $13,080 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at The University of Olivet (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 100.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($27,858 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 70 points higher than at OC Comets (1020).
• Incoming Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at OC Comets).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; The University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; OC Comets - Test-free.
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than OC Comets (83.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

Central College vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Olivet and Central College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, The University of Olivet 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 OC Comets students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 53%)

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.