Skip to Main Content
Central College
blue checkmark
  • 4 Year
  • PELLA, IA

Report Card

grade B minus
Overall Niche Grade
  1. Academics
    grade B minus
  2. Value
    grade B+
  3. Diversity
    grade B minus
  4. Campus
    grade B
  5. Athletics
    grade B
  6. Party Scene
    grade C+
  7. Professors
    grade B
  8. Location
    grade B
  9. Dorms
    grade B
  10. Campus Food
    grade B minus
  11. Student Life
    grade B minus
  12. Safety
    grade B+

About

812 UNIVERSITY
PELLA, IA 50219
Athletic Division
NCAA Division III (with football)
Athletic Conference
American Rivers Conference
From Central College

Founded in 1853, Central College in Pella, Iowa, is a private, four-year liberal arts college. Central is known for its academic rigor, leadership formation and work creating connections among students, faculty, coaches and alumni that help graduates realize their career aspirations. We are dedicated to cultivating diversity of thought and culture through the arts and sciences, professional fields of study and experiential learning. The Central experience is rooted in a residential community of 1,120 students. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics.

Central’s home of Pella is famous for its Tulip Time festival, Dutch pastries and windmill. Pella has it all!

Upcoming Events

Central College Rankings

Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

Admissions

Application Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Acceptance Rate
75%
SAT Range
1000-1260
ACT Range
19-25
Application Fee
$0
SAT/ACT
Considered but not required
High School GPA
Required
Accepts Common App
No

Will You Get In?

Find Student Loans

Find Student Loans

YouTube Video

Cost

Net Price
$22,966 / year
National
$15,523
Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$10,353 / year
National
$7,535
Students Receiving Financial Aid
100%

Scholarship

Academics

Professors
grade B
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
11:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
92%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes. 26 responses
90%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want. 30 responses
67%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage. 30 responses

Majors

A Journey Scholarship Just For You

academic spotlight

Every admitted student receives a $1,000 Journey Scholarship, made possible by generous donors. Central alumni, family and friends are investing in you to pursue your dreams. Supporting students through the Journey Scholarship is a top priority.

Students

Full-Time Enrollment
1,079 Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
60
Undergrads Over 25
1%
Pell Grant
22%
Varsity Athletes
55%
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
Based on 17 responses
  • Friendly
    76%
  • Focused
    6%
  • Mundane
    6%
  • Outgoing
    6%
  • Vapid
    6%

Campus Life

Freshmen Live On-Campus
100%
Poll
64%
of students say Greek life is pretty low-key and has little effect on the social scene. 33 responses
Poll
65%
of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life. 37 responses
Poll
What one word or phrase best describes your school?
Based on 17 responses
  • A great experience!
    47%
  • Small town college
    35%
  • Best in the world.
    6%
  • Boring
    6%
  • Ignorant
    6%

Instagram Posts

After College

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$44,700 / year
National
$33,028
Graduation Rate
66%
National
49%
Employed 2 Years After Graduation
96%
National
83%
100%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation. 14 responses

Central College Reviews

Rating 3.67 out of 5  453 reviews
Rating 2 out of 5  
Rating 4 out of 5  
Rating 3 out of 5  

Add to List