Central College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (11,746 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 Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

Central College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Whitewater than Central College ($12,709 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 32.9% lower than at Central College ($8,090 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 143.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $12,372 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $2,272 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 144.9% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($13,925 vs. $5,685).

Central College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Central College.

• Incoming Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).
• 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 Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Central College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin Whitewater's (54%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates have a $2,029 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($24,971 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 69%)

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.