Central College vs. St. Ambrose University

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

Central College
Saint Ambrose University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: St. Ambrose University (77.3% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 1050 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: Central College. Average net price is $23,848 vs $25,345 at St. Ambrose University .
  • Graduation: Central College 63% vs St. Ambrose University 62%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central College $48,000 vs St. Ambrose University $48,300 (median).
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Key differences

Central College Saint Ambrose University
Acceptance rate
St. Ambrose University more selective
Central College86.2%
St. Ambrose University 77.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
St. Ambrose University higher
Central College1056-1120
St. Ambrose University 930-1170
Average net price
Central College $1,497 less
Central College$23,848
St. Ambrose University $25,345
In-state tuition
Central College $15,670 less
Central College$20,988
St. Ambrose University $36,658
Out-of-state tuition
Central College $15,670 less
Central College$20,988
St. Ambrose University $36,658
Graduation rate
Central College +1 pts
Central College63%
St. Ambrose University 62%
Median earnings (10 years)
St. Ambrose University +$300
Central College$48,000
St. Ambrose University $48,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Central College 1,706
  • St. Ambrose University 2,964
  • Admitted
  • Central College 1,470
  • St. Ambrose University 2,292
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central College 86.2%
  • St. Ambrose University 77.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central College 21%
  • St. Ambrose University 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central College 1090
  • St. Ambrose University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central College 23
  • St. Ambrose University 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central College 3.52
  • St. Ambrose University 3.39
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central College A-
  • St. Ambrose University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Central College Easy
  • St. Ambrose University Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Central College
  • St. Ambrose University
  • SAT range
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • St. Ambrose University 930-1170
  • ACT range
  • Central College 20-26
  • St. Ambrose University 20-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Central College Test optional
  • St. Ambrose University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Central College
  • St. Ambrose University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central College $20,988
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central College $20,988
  • St. Ambrose University $36,658
  • Room & board
  • Central College $12,060
  • St. Ambrose University $13,378
  • Average net price
  • Central College $23,848
  • St. Ambrose University $25,345
  • Average grant aid
  • Central College $13,925
  • St. Ambrose University $25,877
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central College 100%
  • St. Ambrose University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central College 63%
  • St. Ambrose University 62%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central College $48,000
  • St. Ambrose University $48,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central College 78%
  • St. Ambrose University 71%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central College $27,000
  • St. Ambrose University $25,764
  • Median loan payment
  • Central College $279
  • St. Ambrose University $266
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central College 11:1
  • St. Ambrose University 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • St. Ambrose University
    • Business (32%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • St. Ambrose University Davenport, IA
  • Setting
  • Central College Distant Town
  • St. Ambrose University Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Central College 1,084
  • St. Ambrose University 2,498
  • Type
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • St. Ambrose University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central College #506
  • St. Ambrose University #441

Comparable Facts

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

Saint Ambrose University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,498 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 9.9% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($12,060 vs. $13,378).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 74.7% higher at St. Ambrose University than at Central College (about $15,670 more per year; $36,658 vs. $20,988).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Saint Ambrose University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 85.8% larger than aid received by Central College students ($25,877 vs. $13,925).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Central College than at St. Ambrose University (23 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Central College and St. Ambrose University .
  • Enrolled first-year students at Central College average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 16.7% at St. Ambrose University .

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Ambrose University graduates have a $1,236 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,764 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, St. Ambrose University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($266 vs. $279).
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Ambrose University students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 71%).

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

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