Grand View University vs Central College
Grand View University and Central College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Grand View, a private university in Des Moines, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Central's 68%. Central, a private liberal arts college in Pella, Iowa, excels in the sciences, with popular majors including biology, chemistry, and environmental science. Grand View, on the other hand, is known for its strong programs in business, education, and nursing. While Central's student body is predominantly White (87%), Grand View's student population is more diverse, with a significant Hispanic and Black population. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Grand View's at 56% and Central's at 63%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two excellent schools.
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![]() Central College |
![]() Grand View University |
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Overview |
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Location | Pella, Iowa | Des Moines, Iowa |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 79.0% | 71.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 74.5% | 99.5% |
Application fees | $25 | |
SAT range | 1000 - 1260 | 920 - 1080 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 17 - 22 |
Students submitting SAT score | 10.0% | 5.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 67.0% | 55.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,202 | 1,765 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,641 | 1,757 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 340 | 291 |
Yield rate | 20.7% | 16.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $34,302 | $45,832 |
Average net price | $22,966 | $20,434 |
Tuition | $19,250 | $30,224 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,892
Meal plan:
$5,660
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Room/dormitory:
$5,040
Meal plan:
$4,958
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $10,353 |
100.0%
Average amount $21,330 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
73.0%
Average amount $5,605 |
70.0%
Average amount $5,236 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $12,712 |
10.0%
Average amount $12,302 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,139
Men 51.3% Women 48.7% |
1,561
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
Graduate students | N/A |
196
Men 39.3% Women 60.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 0.1% | 3.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,405 | 894 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 66.1% | 50.8% |
Dropout rate | 2.5% | 11.3% |
Transferred out | 31.0% | 37.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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