Graduation Rate

Majors Available

Retention Rate

Academics

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Academics Summary

Activities

Extracurricular

The sports programs offered and athletic scholarships available are below.

Sports

Housing Options

Housing

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Enrollment

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Student Body

Note: College profiles are based primarily on information supplied by the colleges themselves through participation in College Board's BigFuture College Profiles higher education data collection portal, with some data provided via federal and state agencies. Costs, dates, policies, and programs are subject to change, so please confirm important facts with college admission personnel.

$DATA-schoolname$ is $DATA-selectivity$ with an acceptance rate of $DATA-percentage$. Students that get in generally have an SAT score between $DATA-satscore$ or an ACT score of $DATA-actscore$.

After scholarships and grants, $costSchoolName$ costs $costAmount$.

Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it's based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

Students who earn a score of 4 or better on (AP) examinations will be granted a minimum of three semester hours of credit for each subject area. Scores of 3 may satisfy some prerequisites with departmental approval. All AP scores must be sent directly to Central College from the College Board.

Business Administration and Management, General

Accounting

Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Information Science/Studies

Elementary Education and Teaching

Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching

Secondary Education and Teaching

Early Childhood Education and Teaching

Art Teacher Education

Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education

English/Language Arts Teacher Education

Foreign Language Teacher  Education

Health Teacher Education

Mathematics Teacher Education

Music Teacher Education

Physical Education Teaching and Coaching

Reading Teacher Education

Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education

Social Science Teacher Education

Biology Teacher Education

Chemistry Teacher Education

Drama and Dance Teacher Education

French Language Teacher Education

German Language Teacher Education

History Teacher Education

Physics Teacher Education

Spanish Language Teacher Education

Speech Teacher Education

Special Education and Teaching, General

Engineering, General

Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

German Language and Literature

French Language and Literature

Spanish Language and Literature

Biology/Biological Sciences, General

Biochemistry

Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology

International Business/Trade/Commerce

Actuarial Science

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General

Natural Sciences

International/Globalization Studies

Environmental Studies

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy

Chemistry, General

Physics, General

Psychology, General

Political Science and Government, General

Sociology

Anthropology

Social Sciences, General

Economics, General

Drama and Dramatics/Theater Arts, General

Art/Art Studies, General

Music, General

Athletic Training/Trainer

History, General

Mathematics, General

Central College in Pella, Iowa, is a private, four-year liberal arts college. Central is known for its academic rigor, its leadership formation and, most importantly, for its work creating genuine connections among students, faculty, coaches and alumni that help graduates realize their career aspirations for a lifetime. The college is steadfastly 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 exploration and self-discovery and enhanced by life in a residential community of 1,150 students with wide-ranging perspectives. Founded in 1853, Central values its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the American Rivers Conference. Central offers academic programs in the sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities and interdisciplinary programs. Recently, new programs were added in data analytics, musical theatre and strength and conditioning. B.S. degrees are now available in biochemistry, chemistry and engineering to complement the B.A. degrees that are also offered. Central's ABET-accredited engineering major has attracted students from across the United States. The college also has several professional programs and more than a dozen pre-professional tracks including dentistry, health, pharmacy, law, medicine, nursing, athletic training and public health. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, faculty and students enjoy a personalized teaching and mentoring environment. The average class size is 18 students. All classes are taught by professors, not teaching assistants, and 82% of faculty members have earned a doctorate or other terminal degree. Students have tons of opportunities to do 1:1 research with faculty. Nearly 100% of Central's graduates are employed in a field of interest, enrolled in graduate or professional school or are engaged in meaningful volunteer work, such as the Peace Corps, within one year of graduation. Central's home of Pella, Iowa, is a thriving community of more than 10,000. Pella impressively appears in Oprah's 2021 60 Charming American Towns You Haven't Heard of But Should Visit ASAP. The community is famous for its annual Tulip Time Festival, its Dutch pastries and its fully functional 1850s-style windmill.

Central College

Average Aid Packages Awarded

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Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award

Need-Based Loan Amount

Non-Need-Based Aid

Aid Package Details

Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid

Percent of Need Met

Students Receiving Financial Aid

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Tuition at time of first enrollment guaranteed only to students making advance payment

Tuition Guarantee Plans

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Financial Aid

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Notification Date

Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.

Priority Application Due

The deadline for students to respond to the college’s aid offer.

Response Due

Dates are subject to change, so confirm important deadlines by <a href="$website$" target="_blank">visiting the college website</a>.

Dates are subject to change, so confirm important deadlines by visiting the college website.

Financial Aid Dates

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Costs

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Average Net Price by Household Income

In-State Tuition

$75-110k

<$30k

$30-48k

$48-75k

Net Price Calculator

$110k+

Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.