Central College vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne State College is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (4,666 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

Central College vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or WSC? 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 Wayne State College than Central College ($16,060 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State College are 15.9% lower than at Central College ($10,142 vs. $12,060).
• Central College is 155.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSC (about $12,772 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.5% higher at Central College than at Wayne State College (about $12,772 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Wayne State College (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 113.7% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($13,925 vs. $6,517).

Central College vs. WSC Admissions comparison

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

• Wayne State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; WSC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at WSC (3.36).

Central College vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and WSC? 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 Wayne State College's (51%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than WSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne State College graduates have a $6,950 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($20,050 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSC graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($207 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSC students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 67%)

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.