Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Central College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA with Central College in Pella, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Saint Mary's University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (2,312 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Saint Mary's University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1; Central College 11:1.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Central College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Central College than Mount Saint Mary's University ($23,848 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 22.3% lower than at Mount Saint Mary's University ($12,060 vs. $15,518).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 136.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $28,576 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.2% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at Central College (about $28,576 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University as at Central College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 181.6% larger than aid received by Central College students ($39,218 vs. $13,925).

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Central College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central College (1090) is 80 points higher than at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Mount Saint Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110; Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23; Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free; Central College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University vs. 21% at Central College.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Central College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $48,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 59%)

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.