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Economic score
Central College is a private liberal arts college located in Pella, Iowa. Central College is moderately inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Central College is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $49,741 10 years after enrolling, 14th in Iowa, and in the top 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Central College bachelor students earn 1% more than the national average. Central College is ranked 10th in Iowa.
Central College’s median net annual cost of $21,099 and average years to graduate of 4.1 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Central College sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Biology, Sociology, Comms & Media Studies, Education, Accounting - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$21,099
Average years to graduate
4.1
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Mathematics
Rank: -
When a school's graduation rate falls in the bottom 25% in the country, we do not display an economic ranking.
Economic score: 4.71
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.1 years. 66% of all students graduate within 8 years. The graduation rate at Central College is 1% higher than the state average, and 2% below the average for all liberal arts colleges in the country.
At Central College, Pell Grant recipients represent 25% of the measured graduating class, 10% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Central College graduates within 4.1 years.
Central College is in the bottom 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Central College’s economic mobility score of 15.15 is calculated by adjusting the 3.03 economic score of lower-income students by the 25% pell grant recipients within the student body. Central College’s EMS of 15.15 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Central College pays $21,099 a year, $12,220 less than the $33,319 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $21,099
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Central College, 100% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $21,099 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 73% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,879. This is 19% more than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,605
Pell grants
$4,472
State grants
$6,274
Institutional grants
$6,868
Central College's moderately inclusive admissions are indicated by their 75% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 2,202 applicants, of which 1,641 were admitted and 340 enrolled. Central College has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
49%
59%
First time
91%
59%
In-state
74%
68%
1st generation
21%
35%
White
85%
52%
Black
3%
14%
Hispanic
5%
15%
Asian
2%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
5%
12%