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Central College

Pella, IA·Private nonprofit·1,070 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a private nonprofit school with 1,070 students.

86%
Accept
1,070
Students
$23,377
Net Price
66%
Grad Rate
$48,400
Earnings
10 yr
$26,984
Debt

About This School

Central College is a private nonprofit institution located in Pella, Iowa with approximately 1,070 undergraduate students enrolled. Central College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 86%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,377 per year. The graduation rate is 66%, and the typical graduate earns $48,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

Central College may refer to:

The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 73% freshman retention rate and 69% graduation rate suggest that roughly 1 in 3 students who start don't finish, which is worth taking seriously. On the positive side, median debt at graduation is a manageable $20,815, and the $22,353 average net price makes this one of the more affordable private college options. Worth considering if you thrive in a small-town, tight-knit environment and have a clear plan to stay engaged — but ask the admissions office directly what support exists to help students reach the finish line.

Founded
1855
Setting
Distant town
Religious Affiliation
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ
Avg Faculty Salary
$7,780

Popular Programs

Biological Sciences23%
Business & Marketing22%
Social Sciences9%
Education9%
Psychology7%
Communications7%
Computer Science5%
Visual & Performing Arts5%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Abel MuzorewaKeen JohnsonDaniela GeorgievaMichael JohnsonHuston Smith

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1147
Reading 75th %ile560
Math 75th %ile560

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite22

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$20,988
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,988
Avg Net Price
$23,377
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$16,231
$30–48k$16,237
$48–75k$19,532
$75–110k$21,936
$110k+$27,165

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants22%
Median debt at graduation$26,984

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
66%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
80%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$48,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$26,984
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$41,300
Female graduates$33,200

Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$26,984
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$37,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$48,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.8x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White88%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino4%
Two or more races3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,070 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Central College

812 University

Pella, IA 50219

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Iowa

Browse all Iowa schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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