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Central College

Pella, IA·Private·www.central.edu/

Campus Identity

Central College is a small private nonprofit college in Pella, IA. Approximately 1,070 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 86% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 51/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Central College is a small private nonprofit college in Pella, IA. Approximately 1,070 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 86% acceptance rate. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 51/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

86%
Acceptance Rate
1,706 applications
23
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 20–26
$19,250
In-State Tuition
$19,250
Out-of-State Tuition
$12,060
Room & Board
19 meals/week
1,070
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
21%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
N/A
Athletics
Selectivity86% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

528550560

SAT Math

528550560

Campus Lifestyle

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Weather

Cold Climate

42°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

69 mi away
35 skiable acres4 lifts
28 skiable acres6 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Pella, IA

21°Jan26°Feb38°Mar50°Apr61°May71°Jun75°Jul73°Aug65°Sep53°Oct39°Nov27°Dec

Station: KNOXVILLE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

51/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety3010029
30/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
29/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$19,250
Room & Board
$12,060
Total
$31,310
App Fee: $25
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

36 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
42 grads/yr$68,021
Physiology, Pathology and Related SciencesBachelor's
41 grads/yr
Biology, GeneralBachelor's
31 grads/yr$59,597
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
18 grads/yr$50,707
Accounting and Related ServicesBachelor's
16 grads/yr$86,868

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Bachelor's8 grads$89,838
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's16 grads$86,868
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's42 grads$68,021
Biology, General
Bachelor's31 grads$59,597
Psychology, General
Bachelor's11 grads$56,941
Sociology
Bachelor's14 grads$51,996
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's$51,814
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor's10 grads$51,671
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's18 grads$50,707
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences
Bachelor's41 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Central College located?

Central College is located in Pella, IA. The main campus address is 812 University, Pella, IA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Central College?

Central College has an acceptance rate of 86%, making it accessible. Out of 1,706 applicants, 1,470 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,070 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Central College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Central College scored between 20 and 26 on the ACT, with a median of 23. About 42% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Central College?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Central College charges $19,250/year in tuition. Including room and board ($12,060/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $19,250/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Central College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Central College?

The undergraduate application fee at Central College is $25. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is Central College the right fit for me?

Whether Central College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (86% admit rate), cost ($19,250/year out-of-state), campus culture in Pella, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Central College against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Central College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Pella, IA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
School Year Weather
Cold · 42°F avg
App Fee
$25
On Campus Safety Score
51/100
Nearest Airport
Ottumwa, IA (OTM) · 32 mialso DSM (39 mi), CID (71 mi)

Location

Pella, IA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.