Central College vs. Pitt State

Comparable Facts

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

Pittsburg State University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (5,755 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Pittsburg State University is in Pittsburg, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pittsburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Pittsburg State University 14:1.

Central College vs. Pitt State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Pitt State? 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 Pittsburg State University than Central College ($15,111 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pittsburg State University are 15.1% lower than at Central College ($10,234 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 149.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt State (about $12,588 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Central College than at Pittsburg State University (about $1,244 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $19,744.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Pittsburg State University (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 114.1% larger than aid received by Pittsburg State University students ($13,925 vs. $6,504).

Central College vs. Pitt State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Pitt State? 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 Pitt State and Central College.

• 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; Pitt State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Pitt State (3.4).
• Pitt State has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 31.9% at Pitt State.

Central College vs. Pitt State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Pitt State? 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 Pittsburg State University's (49%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Pitt State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pittsburg State University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Pitt State graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 61%)

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.