Indiana State vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN with Central College in Pella, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana State University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (7,895 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, IN (Small City setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana State University 16:1; Central College 11:1.

Indiana State vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Indiana State or Central College? 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 Indiana State University than Central College ($12,066 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 1.6% lower than at Indiana State University ($12,060 vs. $12,262).
• Central College is 104.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Indiana State (about $10,730 more per year; $20,988.00 vs. $10,258.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Indiana State than at Central College (about $1,334 more per year; $22,322.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Indiana State University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Indiana State University students ($13,925 vs. $12,383).

Indiana State vs. Central College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCentral College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Indiana State - Test-free; Central College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Indiana State (3.29).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Indiana State (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at Indiana State vs. 21% at Central College.

Indiana State vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Indiana State and Central College? 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 Indiana State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Indiana State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana State University graduates have a $3,280 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($23,720 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Indiana State graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Indiana State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 51%)

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.