Central College vs. UW-La Crosse

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin La Crosse is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (10,446 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 La Crosse is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 20:1.

Central College vs. UW-La Crosse Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UW-La Crosse? 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 La Crosse than Central College ($14,712 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin La Crosse are 27.8% lower than at Central College ($8,702 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 108.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-La Crosse (about $10,918 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $10,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Central College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (about $1,471 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $19,517.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Wisconsin La Crosse (100% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 209.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin La Crosse students ($13,925 vs. $4,499).

Central College vs. UW-La Crosse Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming UW-La Crosse students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at 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; University of Wisconsin La Crosse 22/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; UW-La Crosse - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UW-La Crosse students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Central College (3.52).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than UW-La Crosse (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 43.2% at UW-La Crosse.

Central College vs. UW-La Crosse Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and UW-La Crosse? 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 La Crosse's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Central College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,500 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UW-La Crosse graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More UW-La Crosse graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 78%)

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.