Acceptance Rate
86%
Avg. SAT
1120
75th percentile
“Small Iowa liberal arts college in a Dutch heritage town where most students study abroad before graduating.”
Pella, IA
Location
Town
Campus Setting
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.
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+12
+4
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In classrooms averaging under 20 students, professors lead discussions and mentor directly, fostering a hands-on learning style across liberal arts majors. The college stands out for its Central Abroad program, through which a large share of students—often more than 70 percent—spend a semester overseas in places like England, Spain, or Mexico. Science departments shine with modern labs for biology and chemistry, while education and business programs prepare students for practical careers, though options in niche fields like film or engineering remain limited.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,084 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
White
87%
Black / African American
2%
Hispanic / Latino
4%
Asian
1%
Other / Multi-racial
6%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Pella, IA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life revolves around residence halls where nearly all undergrads live, creating weekend game nights, study groups, and impromptu gatherings in cozy lounges. Traditions tie into Pella's Dutch roots, like joining the Tulip Time festival parade with wooden shoes and costumes each May. A typical week mixes classes, club meetings, intramural sports, and coffee runs to local spots, but expect cold winds in winter and few late-night options beyond campus events in this small town of 12,000.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
American Rivers Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$15,806
$30K – $48K
$16,247
$48K – $75K
$19,305
$75K – $110K
$22,886
$110K+
$25,457
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
80%
4 Years Graduation Rate
65%
6 Years Graduation Rate
71%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$54,317
80% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Central College and return in the fall. 65% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 71% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
65%
4-5 years
6%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
28%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$19,800
Acceptance
86%
Undergrads
1,084
4-Year Grad Rate
65%
Endowment
$79M
Pella, IA 50219
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