Central College vs. SC

Comparable Facts

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

Central College is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (1,084 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Sterling College is in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Sterling College 8:1.

Central College vs. SC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or SC? 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 Sterling College than Central College ($23,531 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 20.5% lower than at Central College ($9,586 vs. $12,060).
• Sterling College is 60.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $12,712 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.6% higher at SC than at Central College (about $12,712 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 70% larger than aid received by Central College students ($23,673 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. SC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 60 points higher than at SC (1030).
• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at SC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120; Sterling College 938/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26; Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; SC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at SC (3.46).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 30.4% at SC.

Central College vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and SC? 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 Sterling College's (48%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $2,337 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($24,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($255 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 60%)

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.