Central College vs. St. Kate's

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Catherine University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (3,651 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); St Catherine University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; St Catherine University 9:1.

Central College vs. St. Kate's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or St. Kate's? 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 St Catherine University than Central College ($20,918 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 1.1% lower than at St Catherine University ($12,060 vs. $12,188).
• St Catherine University is 145.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $30,466 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145.2% higher at St. Kate's than at Central College (about $30,466 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at St Catherine University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 187.9% larger than aid received by Central College students ($40,092 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. St. Kate's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's and Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 90 points higher than at St. Kate's (1000).
• Incoming Central College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at St. Kate's (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; St Catherine University 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; St Catherine University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; St. Kate's - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Central College (3.52).
• St. Kate's has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Central College (86.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 18.8% at St. Kate's.

Central College vs. St. Kate's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and St. Kate's? 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).

• St Catherine University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from St Catherine University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Central College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Kate's students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 65%)

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.