SIUE vs. Central College

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Central College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Central College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central College (86.2% admitted vs 97.5%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: SIUE. Average net price is $17,115 vs $23,848 at Central College.
  • Graduation: SIUE 52% vs Central College 63%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SIUE $47,000 vs Central College $48,000 (median).
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Key differences

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Central College
Acceptance rate
Central College more selective
SIUE97.5%
Central College86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SIUE higher
SIUE950-1190
Central College1056-1120
Average net price
SIUE $6,733 less
SIUE$17,115
Central College$23,848
In-state tuition
SIUE $8,066 less
SIUE$12,922
Central College$20,988
Out-of-state tuition
SIUE $8,066 less
SIUE$12,922
Central College$20,988
Graduation rate
Central College +11 pts
SIUE52%
Central College63%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central College +$1,000
SIUE$47,000
Central College$48,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SIUE 10,150
  • Central College 1,706
  • Admitted
  • SIUE 9,896
  • Central College 1,470
  • Acceptance rate
  • SIUE 97.5%
  • Central College 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SIUE 15.7%
  • Central College 21%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SIUE 1070
  • Central College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • SIUE 23
  • Central College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • SIUE 3.54
  • Central College 3.52
  • Typical high school grades
  • SIUE A-
  • Central College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SIUE Moderate
  • Central College Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • SIUE
  • Central College
  • SAT range
  • SIUE 950-1190
  • Central College 1056-1120
  • ACT range
  • SIUE 20-27
  • Central College 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • SIUE Test optional
  • Central College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SIUE May 1, 2027
  • Central College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SIUE $12,922
  • Central College $20,988
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SIUE $12,922
  • Central College $20,988
  • Room & board
  • SIUE $14,490
  • Central College $12,060
  • Average net price
  • SIUE $17,115
  • Central College $23,848
  • Average grant aid
  • SIUE $11,602
  • Central College $13,925
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SIUE 91%
  • Central College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • SIUE 52%
  • Central College 63%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SIUE $47,000
  • Central College $48,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • SIUE 61%
  • Central College 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SIUE $21,430
  • Central College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • SIUE $221
  • Central College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SIUE 15:1
  • Central College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • SIUE
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Central College
    • Business (17%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Location
  • SIUE Edwardsville, IL
  • Central College Pella, IA
  • Setting
  • SIUE Large Suburban
  • Central College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • SIUE 11,893
  • Central College 1,084
  • Type
  • SIUE Public 4 Year
  • Central College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SIUE #516
  • Central College #506

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Edwardsville, IL with Central College in Pella, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (11,893 students vs. 1,084 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, IL (Large Suburban setting); Central College is in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 15:1; Central College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 16.8% lower than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ($12,060 vs. $14,490).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 62.4% higher at Central College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (about $8,066 more per year; $20,988 vs. $12,922).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central College than at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (100% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 20% larger than aid received by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students ($13,925 vs. $11,602).

Admissions details

  • Incoming SIUE students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 23) as students at Central College (23).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SIUE and Central College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SIUE May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SIUE average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Central College (3.52).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at SIUE vs. 21% at Central College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates have a $5,570 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($21,430 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, SIUE graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($221 vs. $279).
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SIUE students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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