Pella, IA · Private nonprofit · 4-year
Central College has a 79.0% acceptance rate. Central College is a private nonprofit 4-year institution in Pella, IA, with a median SAT of 1100 and a median ACT of 23. The average net price is $23,377 per year after financial aid, and it is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education). Data updated April 2026.
79.0%
1,978 applicants
1100
Combined score
23
Composite score
$23,377
After financial aid
Middle-50% test scores of admitted students at Central College (25th to 75th percentile), per federal IPEDS data:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT (total, 400–1600) | 935 | 1100 | 1120 |
| ACT (composite, 1–36) | 19 | 23 | 25 |
0.7%
79.9%
N/A
1,070
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships at Central College:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | $16,231 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $16,237 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $19,532 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $21,936 |
| $110,000+ | $27,165 |
| Major | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Biological & Biomedical Sciences | 55 |
| Business, Management & Marketing | 51 |
| Social Sciences | 22 |
| Education | 21 |
| Psychology | 17 |
| Communication & Journalism | 16 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | 12 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 12 |
| Engineering | 8 |
| Natural Resources & Conservation | 6 |
Official website: https://www.central.edu/
Admissions: https://www.central.edu/admission/
Central College has an acceptance rate of 79%. it received about 1,978 applications in a recent year; admitted students have a median SAT near 1100; the average net price is $23,377 per year. Admit Coach estimates your personal odds of admission to Central College for free using your GPA and test scores.
Getting into Central College is accessible for most qualified applicants — it admits 79% of applicants. Admitted students typically have a median SAT around 1100. Your odds depend on how your GPA and scores compare to admitted students. Admit Coach calculates your specific chance at Central College for free and labels it a reach, target, or safety school.
Admitted students at Central College typically have a median SAT around 1100 and a median ACT around 23. With a 79% acceptance rate, competitive applicants usually score at or above these medians. Central College is located in Pella, IA. Enter your scores in Admit Coach to see whether you land in the reach, target, or safety range.
The average net price at Central College is $23,377 per year after grants and scholarships. about 100% of students receive financial aid; the average grant or scholarship is $12,678 per year. Net price varies by family income — Admit Coach shows the estimate for your specific income bracket.
Central College has a graduation rate of 1%. its first-year retention rate is 80%. These federal outcome metrics let you compare Central College against similar colleges on Admit Coach.
For the 2025–26 cycle, Central College is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who do submit scores typically have a median SAT near 1100. With a 79% acceptance rate, a strong overall application matters most. Admit Coach factors Central College's testing policy into your free admission-chance estimate.
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