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Central College

Pella, Iowa · Private nonprofit · 4-year · Town

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At a glance

Average net price
$23,377What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
86%
Graduation rate
68%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
1,070
In-state tuition
$20,988Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$20,988
SAT midpoint
1,130
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$54,317Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against private nonprofit 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$23,377

Better than 46% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1092 compared).

Completion

68%

Better than 70% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1063 compared).

Earnings

$54,317

Better than 50% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1087 compared).

Debt at graduation

$26,984

Better than 20% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges (1020 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$37,773

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$23,377

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Central College
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time68%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return80%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$26,984
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$54,317

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Central College by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Accounting and Related Services$58,85016
Business Administration, Management and Operations$55,76042
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$44,00018
Sociology$38,03414
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$35,914Not reported
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$30,21113
Psychology, General$29,92311
Biology, General$26,93331
Physiology, Pathology and Related SciencesNot reported41
Communication and Media StudiesNot reported10
Computer ScienceNot reported8
Engineering, GeneralNot reported6
English Language and Literature, GeneralNot reported6
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchNot reported6
Political Science and GovernmentNot reported5
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported5
HistoryNot reported5
EconomicsNot reported4
Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsNot reported4
MusicNot reported4
PhilosophyNot reported3
MathematicsNot reported3
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyNot reported2
PhysicsNot reported2
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherNot reported2
ChemistryNot reported2
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasNot reported1
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftNot reported1
Information Science/StudiesNot reported1
Social Sciences, GeneralNot reported1
International/Globalization StudiesNot reported1
Religion/Religious StudiesNot reportedNot reported
Natural SciencesNot reportedNot reported
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsNot reportedNot reported
AnthropologyNot reportedNot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsNot reportedNot reported

All 36 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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