Central College vs. OU

Central College and Ottawa University Ottawa side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Central College
Ottawa University Ottawa

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: OU (83% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 880 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Central College. Average net price is $23,848 vs $28,185 at OU.
  • Graduation: Central College 63% vs OU 47%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central College $48,000 vs OU $46,400 (median).
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Key differences

Central College Ottawa University Ottawa
Acceptance rate
OU more selective
Central College86.2%
OU83%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Central College higher
Central College1056-1120
OU750-1000
Average net price
Central College $4,337 less
Central College$23,848
OU$28,185
In-state tuition
Central College $14,892 less
Central College$20,988
OU$35,880
Out-of-state tuition
Central College $14,892 less
Central College$20,988
OU$35,880
Graduation rate
Central College +16 pts
Central College63%
OU47%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central College +$1,600
Central College$48,000
OU$46,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Central College 1,706
  • OU 2,611
  • Admitted
  • Central College 1,470
  • OU 2,166
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central College 86.2%
  • OU 83%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central College 21%
  • OU 14.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central College 1090
  • OU 880
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central College 23
  • OU 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central College 3.52
  • OU 3.12
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central College A-
  • OU B
  • Admissions standards
  • Central College Easy
  • OU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Central College
  • OU
  • SAT range
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • OU 750-1000
  • ACT range
  • Central College 20-26
  • OU 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • Central College Test optional
  • OU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Central College
  • OU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central College $20,988
  • OU $35,880
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central College $20,988
  • OU $35,880
  • Room & board
  • Central College $12,060
  • OU $13,646
  • Average net price
  • Central College $23,848
  • OU $28,185
  • Average grant aid
  • Central College $13,925
  • OU $23,692
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central College 100%
  • OU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central College 63%
  • OU 47%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central College $48,000
  • OU $46,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central College 78%
  • OU 46%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central College $27,000
  • OU $21,875
  • Median loan payment
  • Central College $279
  • OU $226
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central College 11:1
  • OU 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • OU
    • Business (33%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (18%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • Location
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • OU Ottawa, KS
  • Setting
  • Central College Distant Town
  • OU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Central College 1,084
  • OU 999
  • Type
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • OU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central College #506
  • OU

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Ottawa University Ottawa in Ottawa, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Central College is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 999 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 11.6% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($12,060 vs. $13,646).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 71% higher at OU than at Central College (about $14,892 more per year; $35,880 vs. $20,988).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Ottawa University Ottawa (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 70.1% larger than aid received by Central College students ($23,692 vs. $13,925).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Central College than at OU (23 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Central College and OU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Central College average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at OU (3.12).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 14.1% at OU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Ottawa University Ottawa graduates have a $5,125 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,875 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($226 vs. $279).
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 46%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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