Central College vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (4,505 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 18:1.

Central College vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than Central College ($22,032 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota are 7.1% lower than at Central College ($11,200 vs. $12,060).
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is 114.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $24,092 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.8% higher at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than at Central College (about $24,092 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students is 153.8% larger than aid received by Central College students ($35,348 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 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; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (3.49).
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 18.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Central College vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's (62%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn a median of about $400 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 72%)

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.