About Central College

Founded in 1853, Central College. is a Private college. Located in Iowa, which is a city setting in Iowa, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 1,248 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.

The Central College Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 12:1. There are 97 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Central College include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate73%
Application Deadline
Application Fee25
SAT Range950-1290
ACT Range21-26

Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,31% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 8 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

89% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 58% were in the top quarter, and 25% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Central College.

13%
“We”re apathetic”
25%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
13%
“Sometimes, but not often”
25%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
63%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
13%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
88%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
88%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
63%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
38%
“We”re a very artistic group”
13%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
0%
“They keep regular office hours”
88%
“They”re always available”
13%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
75%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
13%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
13%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
63%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
13%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
13%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
75%
“There might be people who do”
13%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
13%
“We”re apathetic”
25%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
13%
“Sometimes, but not often”
25%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
63%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
13%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
88%
“I feel extremely safe”
13%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
88%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
0%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
63%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
38%
“We”re a very artistic group”
13%
“Haven”t met them”
0%
“Available in class”
0%
“They keep regular office hours”
88%
“They”re always available”
13%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
75%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
13%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
13%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
63%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
13%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
13%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
75%
“There might be people who do”
13%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

Central College REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    80 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    53 Students rated off-campus housing 1.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    82 Students rated campus food 3.2 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    82 Students rated campus facilities 4.5 stars. 59 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    82 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 70 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    82 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    82 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 44 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    82 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of Central College?

10 Students rated Central College

Gillian

Central College is the best of both worlds. It is located in a small town in Iowa, but has the big university feel. Everything is within walking distance, and everyone is so friendly. There is a vast range of majors, minors, and classes students can pursue.

Madeline

Central College is an amazing school! If you are interested in athletics, Central has over 70{6f65e1278338a62264eed73e2adc5af8e2841420db12ceb4f80b8db22f3260ec} of its students in a sport and is one of the top performers in Division III in the country in many sports. It is not only an athletic school but an artistic one too. The plays are great and the concerts are full of talented students. Central has great professors who are there for you when you need them and outside of campus is "a piece of Holland in Iowa"! The shops and restaurants are filled with friendly locals and there is always something fun going on in the square. Overall, Central College has something for everyone and that I am glad I have four more years here! Go Dutch!

Christian

It is a great college but very expensive. Don’t go here unless you can afford it or are majoring in something that you will see a big return in your investment.

Elizabeth

Central College is dedicated to the education of their students and the development of citizens in the United States and abroad. They want current students to get connected to their world and to the alumni and potential students. The administration is constantly trying to elevate the experience of potential and current students as well as visitors for sport or performing arts events.

Central College FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Central College?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Central College is 73%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    If I were to go back in time, I would tell myself to cherish the time with friends and family. I would tell myself that even though everyone can not wait to be out of school, to really cherish the people around you and the time you have with them. It is just as important to have enjoy oneself as much as it is to be responsible.

    Read all  123 answers
  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    I kind, helping staff working on a beautiful campus in a small town in Iowa.

    Read all  33 answers
  4. Describe the students at your school.

    The students here at Central are friendly. The school is small enought that you know everyone in all of your classes, and when you see them somewhere on campus they say hello and call you by name. Even if you aren't best friends with someone, you are still friendly acquaintances.

    Read all  28 answers
  5. What's unique about your campus?

    It is a small school, but it has big opportunities. what i mean by that is that you have small class sizes, you have instructors know you by name, adn re available to help you one on one, if you need to. but Central has big oportunities, they are working with many companies and oranizations, so you have a vide variety of playces to do your internship or to study abroad. theyr also have many clubs and activities on campus, that can help you reach you potential in any subject or hobby.

    Read all  25 answers
  6. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Before I came to Central College, I wish I had known how easy it is to become involved here. There are many different clubs, teams, and other extra-cirriculars to offer fun and excitement here, but I did not know how easy it was to take advantage of them until the end of my Sophomore year. If I had known sooner how easy it was to get involved, I would have been able to cultivate experiences and friendships much sooner.

    Read all  23 answers
  7. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who is looking for a college with a great welcoming atmophere, a quiet and friendly surrounding community, a great study abroad program, flexible and unique classes, and friendly, understanding, and helpful faculty.

    Read all  22 answers
  8. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    This school is much more conservative and strict than the other schools I applied to. At first I wasn't sure how I would like that, but now I have learned that I like it a lot. It helps keep me focused on my school work and it helps to keep me out of trouble that I may have gotten into at a larger, more liberal school.

    Read all  20 answers
  9. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst and best thing about Central is that the professors know you and expect you to do well, which in turn means you are held more accountable for every action you make.

    Read all  19 answers
  10. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Central College is best known for its high percentage of study abroad participants. Nearly 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students study abroad while at Central. Central's Study abroad programs have been recognized as some of the best study abroad programs in the midwest. Many students from other colleges even go abroad through Central. I plan on going abroad myself, and if possible , more than once. It is one of the main reasons I choose to come to Central.

    Read all  17 answers
  11. What kind of person should attend this school?

    I think anyone would feel comfortable at this school. We have a variety of races and ethnicities, we have artists and scientists, and we have older adults and younger adults taking classes. This school offers any type of undergraduate degree you could dream of, so everyone's interest is addressed. This school does expect you to work hard, show up to class, and do well in all of your classes. For students who are struggling, there are numerous opportunities to obtain help. This school works with students who have learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and medical disabilities.

    Read all  16 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    Central is a small college, but I definately do not see that as a negative thing. My teachers know me as a person, and not just a number. Class sizes are small, about 25 - 30 per class, and sometimes smaller. So my teachers are able to easily help me with any thing I may have questions on. Also, Central's campus is very pretty. It's not divided by many roads, and everything is fairly close to the dorms, and not to mention our football team is awesome! Go Dutch!

    Read all  12 answers
  13. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing about Central College is the size. It is a very small private school. Pella, Iowa is a very small town, and there is not a lot to do. The biggest city nearby is Des Moines, which is about 45 minutes away. When a field tirp out of Pella is necessary Des Moines is a good place to go.

    Read all  12 answers

Student Body

Students

52%

female

48%

male

1,248

Total Undergrad Enrollment

N/A

Total Grad Students

35%

Out-Of-State

65%

In-State

N/A

International

Organizations

60

Student Organizations

4

Fraternities

3

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

88%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
2%
% Hispanic/Latino
4%
% White or Caucasian
87%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending Central College receive some sort of financial aid. 34% were awarded federal grants. While 74% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$34,612

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,253

Books and Supplies

$9,980

Room and Board

45,845

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$17,507
$30 - $48K
$16,661
$48 - $75K
$18,751
$75 - $110K
$21,019
$110K & UP
$25,619

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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