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Central College

Pella, IA

OverviewAdmissionsMajorsScholarships
Overview

Small Iowa liberal arts college in a Dutch heritage town where most students study abroad before graduating.

Identity
Academics
Culture
Outcomes
Identity

Central College traces its roots to 1853, when Dutch immigrants founded it in Pella as a Reformed Church school to educate their youth amid the Iowa prairie. You'll find a campus that mirrors Pella's Dutch village charm, with windmills, stroopwafels in the bakery, and streets lined by gabled houses. Students who thrive here seek close-knit relationships, where professors remember your name and classmates become lifelong friends; those craving big-city buzz or constant urban energy might feel isolated in this quiet rural spot.

1,084
Undergrads
0
86.2%
Acceptance
71.0%
Grad Rate
Photos
North Central College Employees, Location, Alumni | LinkedIn
Central College P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium Expansion | RDG Planning ...
Central College - Rachel Carson Council
T. Berry Smith Hall - Central Methodist University - panoramio
main administration building
iconic campus entrance gate or sign
central quad or green space
historic or signature academic building
Central College Announces 2022 Top Scholarship Awardees | KNIA ...
Central College P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium Expansion | RDG Planning ...
North Central College Admissions: SAT, Acceptance Rate
North Central College | Naperville, IL
Central College Employees, Location, Alumni | LinkedIn
Academics
11.0 : 1
Student-Faculty Ratio
80.0%
Retention Rate (Full-Time)
71.0%
6-Year Graduation Rate
65.0%
4-Year Graduation Rate
1,084
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Graduate Enrollment
Admissions
86.2%
Acceptance Rate
3.70
Average GPA
Test Optional
Test Policy
$25
Application Fee
Test Score Range
SAT Math

528–560

SAT Reading

528–560

ACT Composite

20–26

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Enter your scores to see how you compare to admitted students at Central College.

School avg: 3.70

0.00 – 4.00 scale

School range: 1056–1120

400 – 1600 (total)

School range: 20–26

1 – 36 (composite)

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Tip: Add all three scores for the most accurate estimate

This tool provides estimates based on academic metrics only. Actual admission decisions consider many factors including essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and more.
Financial Aid & Costs
Estimated Annual Cost

$33,135

Tuition + Room & Board + Books (before financial aid)
Cost Breakdown

Tuition

$19,800

Room & Board

$12,060

Books & Supplies

$1,275

Financial Aid
100%
Receiving Aid
25%
Pell Grant Recipients
$13,925
Avg Grant (recipients)
$8,244
Avg Federal Loan
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Campus Life
Housing

On-Campus Housing

Yes

Housing Capacity

1,405 beds

Housing Guarantee

Data not available

Dining

Meal Plan Available

Yes

Meal Plan Type

Data not available

Athletics
American Rivers Conference
Quick Facts

Type

Private

Undergraduate Enrollment

1,084

Acceptance Rate

86%

Graduation Rate

71%

Tuition & Room/Board

$31,860

Affiliation

Pentecostal Holiness Church

Visit Website

central.edu
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Pella, IA 50219

Town: Distant
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