Central College vs. UW-Eau Claire

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in Eau Claire, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (10,049 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is in Eau Claire, WI (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 19:1.

Central College vs. UW-Eau Claire Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UW-Eau Claire? 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 University of Wisconsin Eau Claire than Central College ($15,151 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire are 25.6% lower than at Central College ($8,978 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 117.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Eau Claire (about $11,346 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $9,642.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (about $1,760 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $19,228.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 145.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Eau Claire students ($13,925 vs. $5,663).

Central College vs. UW-Eau Claire Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or UW-Eau Claire? 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 UW-Eau Claire and Central College.

• Incoming Central College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UW-Eau Claire (23).
• 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; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; UW-Eau Claire - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UW-Eau Claire Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UW-Eau Claire students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than UW-Eau Claire (82.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 28.1% at UW-Eau Claire.

Central College vs. UW-Eau Claire Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and UW-Eau Claire? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $100 more per year than UW-Eau Claire graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $47,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-Eau Claire 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 UW-Eau Claire students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 76%)

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.