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Central College

Pella, IA

Central College is a private liberal arts college located in Pella, Iowa. Founded in 1853, it is one of the oldest institutions in the state. The college prides itself on offering a well-rounded education, combining academic excellence with a strong commitment to community, leadership, and global engagement. Central College has a beautiful 130-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities, providing students with an inclusive and supportive environment to thrive academically and socially.

At Central College, students have a wide range of academic programs to choose from. The college offers more than 70 majors, minors, and pre-professional programs in fields such as business, education, science, arts, humanities, and social sciences. The faculty members are highly dedicated and experienced professionals who work closely with students to ensure their success. Small class sizes enable personalized attention and foster meaningful relationships between professors and students.

Central College is also known for its commitment to a well-rounded college experience. The college offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities, including athletics, clubs, and organizations. The Dutch compete as a part of the NCAA Division III in 20 different sports, fostering teamwork and competitive spirit. In addition, the college encourages community service and provides opportunities for students to engage in volunteer work locally, nationally, and internationally, fostering a sense of global citizenship. Central College is an ideal place for students seeking a comprehensive education that combines academic rigor, personal growth, and active engagement with the community.

Central College is a private four-year college located in Pella, IA and set in a rural environment. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 78%. The freshman retention rate at Central College is 72.65% and the six-year graduation rate is 69%.

The freshmen application deadline for this school is August 1. Here are some latest information on important things to consider about Central College.

Quick Facts

1,095

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

78%

Acceptance Rate

$20,988

Tuition

12:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

69%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

If you learn as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will greatly improve. Here are the most essential information you should know about admission at Central College.

In 2024, the school accepted 1,562 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.

Test Scores

8% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 58% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 36% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 32% between 1,000 and 1,199 and 32% between 800 and 999. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 5, 29 between 24-29, 53 in the range between 18-23, and 13 between 12-17.

The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.7. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance.

Average Test Scores

Deadlines

Be sure to apply to this school by August 1.

78%

Acceptance Rate

Retention Rate

The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.

As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Central College was 72.65%, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.

The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 69%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.

Student Body

It is never easy to figure out which school is the best choice for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.

Main Student Body

In 2024, the school enrolled 1,095 students.

That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 25. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 1,095, 2 of which were international students. 32 students were admitted as transfer students.

Student Population Gender Ratio

With a coeducational student body, the school had 556 male and 485 female full-time students in 2024.

Student Population Diversity

In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.

This school had 9 Asian students and 19 Afro-American students in 2024. 47 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 33 identified with more than one race. There were also 24 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.

Tuition and Fees

Wondering about tuition at Central College? Here is what you need to know.

Tuition in 2024 was $20,988 for full-time domestic students. Central College is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students.

Books and Supplies

Another important expense to take into consideration is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to spend about $1,335 for books and supplies during their time at Central College.

Boarding

Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?

In 2024, the price of room and board at Central College was $12,060 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $5,800, according to the data from 2024. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $5,800.

Tuition $ 20,988
Room and Board $ 12,060
Book and Supplies $ 1,335
Total Expense $ 34,383

Financial Aid

Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support for students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Central College, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.

According to the most recent data, 189 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $18,763 in financial help.

Need-based

Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.

There were 674 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 674. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $1,380,771, and state $2,596,616. The students of Central College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $5,099,787, and external in the amount of $414,732.

$8,454

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.

87 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2024. 27 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $1,380,771 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $311,998. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $3,543,919. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $367,781 USD.

Faculty

12:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.

According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Central College was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 102 teachers at this school. This number included 53 male and 49 female faculty members.

Student Population Diversity Graph

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100
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100

Campus Life

Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about students' life at Central College.

Its campus spans 200 acres.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.

According to the most recent information, there are 55 open-membership organizations at Central College. At this school, 3% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 2 for female students. The most popular student organization is Students Concerned About the Environment (SCATE), followed by Student Senate and Campus Ministries. Other popular student organizations at this school are Music Ensembles and Academic Honorary Associations and Health Professions Club.

For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club.

Student Services

At Central College, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.

24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.

All in all, campus life at Central College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Central College.

Career Counselling

At Central College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.

Job Placement

Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.

Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 46,477 USD.

$46,477

Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation

FAQ

Central College is located in Pella, IA.

The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Central College is 20,988 USD, based on the most recent data.

The most recent reported acceptance rate for Central College is 78%.

The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Central College is 72.65%.

Contact Information

Central College,

812 University Street

Pella, IA

50219

641 628-9000

School Website

Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

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