Central College vs. Iowa
Central College and University of Iowa side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
Central College
University of Iowa
At a glance
- Harder to get into: Iowa (83.6% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1090.
- Cheaper after aid: Iowa. Average net price is $21,765 vs $23,848 at Central College.
- Graduation: Central College 63% vs Iowa 71%.
- Earnings 10 years out: Central College $48,000 vs Iowa $59,800 (median).
Acceptance rate
Iowa more selective
Central College86.2%
Iowa83.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Iowa higher
Central College1056-1120
Iowa1130-1330
Average net price
Iowa $2,083 less
Central College$23,848
Iowa$21,765
In-state tuition
Iowa $9,705 less
Central College$20,988
Iowa$11,283
Out-of-state tuition
Central College $12,383 less
Central College$20,988
Iowa$33,371
Graduation rate
Iowa +8 pts
Central College63%
Iowa71%
Median earnings (10 years)
Iowa +$11,800
Central College$48,000
Iowa$59,800
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
PartnerNot sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Central College and Iowa with Appily's free admission calculator.
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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Central College My Chances
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Iowa My Chances
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- Applied
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Central College 1,706
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Iowa 27,770
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- Admitted
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Central College 1,470
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Iowa 23,222
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- Acceptance rate
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Central College 86.2%
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Iowa 83.6%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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Central College 21%
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Iowa 22.4%
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- Typical SAT score
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Central College 1090
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Iowa 1230
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- Typical ACT score
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Central College 23
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Iowa 24
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- Average high school GPA
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Central College 3.52
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Iowa 3.81
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- Typical high school grades
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Central College A-
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Iowa A-
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- Admissions standards
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Central College Easy
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Iowa Challenging
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- Applicant competition
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Central College
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Iowa
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- SAT range
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Central College 1056-1120
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Iowa 1130-1330
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- ACT range
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Central College 20-26
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Iowa 21-28
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- Submit test scores
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Central College Test optional
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Iowa Test optional
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- Application deadline
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Central College
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Iowa May 1, 2027
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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Central College $20,988
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Iowa $11,283
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- Tuition (out of state)
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Central College $20,988
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Iowa $33,371
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- Room & board
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Central College $12,060
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Iowa $12,920
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- Average net price
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Central College $23,848
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Iowa $21,765
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- Average grant aid
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Central College $13,925
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Iowa $9,865
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- % receiving grant aid
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Central College 100%
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Iowa 76%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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Central College 63%
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Iowa 71%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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Central College $48,000
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Iowa $59,800
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- Making student loan payments
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Central College 78%
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Iowa 70%
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- Median student loan debt
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Central College $27,000
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Iowa $21,616
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- Median loan payment
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Central College $279
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Iowa $223
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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Central College 11:1
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Iowa 16:1
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- Popular majors
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Central College
- Business (17%)
- Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
- Social Sciences (12%)
- Biology (8%)
- Foreign Languages (7%)
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Iowa
- Business (18%)
- Social Sciences (9%)
- Health Professions (9%)
- Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
- Communication (8%)
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School basics
- School
- Central College Central College
- Iowa University of Iowa
- Location
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Central College Pella, IA
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Iowa Iowa City, IA
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- Setting
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Central College Distant Town
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Iowa Small City
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- Total enrollment
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Central College 1,084
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Iowa 30,779
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- Type
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Central College Private 4 Year
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Iowa Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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Central College #506
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Iowa #233
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Comparable Facts
Compare Central College in Pella, IA with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
University of Iowa is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,084 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
- Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Iowa 16:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 6.7% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,060 vs. $12,920).
- Out-of-state tuition is 59% higher at Iowa than at Central College (about $12,383 more per year; $33,371 vs. $20,988).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 41.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($13,925 vs. $9,865).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Iowa than at Central College (24 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Central College and Iowa.
- Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
- Enrolled first-year students at Iowa average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at Central College (3.52).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 22.4% at Iowa.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
- Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
- More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 70%).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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