Central College vs Saint Norbert College
Central College and Saint Norbert College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Central, located in Pella, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (88%) compared to Saint Norbert's 79% in De Pere, Wisconsin. Central's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 1,900 compared to Saint Norbert's 1,700. While both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, Central is known for its strong programs in business and education, while Saint Norbert excels in natural sciences and engineering. With graduation rates of 75% and 78% respectively, both institutions ensure that their students are well-prepared for their future careers. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional colleges and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Central College |
![]() Saint Norbert College |
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Overview |
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Location | Pella, Iowa | De Pere, Wisconsin |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: 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% | 81.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 74.5% | 85.1% |
Application fees | $25 | $50 |
SAT range | 1000 - 1260 | 1100 - 1280 |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 25 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 10.0% | 4.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 67.0% | 36.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,202 | 4,067 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,641 | 3,463 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 340 | 584 |
Yield rate | 20.7% | 16.9% |
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 | $48,763 |
Average net price | $22,966 | $27,107 |
Tuition | $19,250 | $41,072 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,892
Meal plan:
$5,660
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Room/dormitory:
$6,198
Meal plan:
$5,484
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Available payment plans |
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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 $26,258 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
73.0%
Average amount $5,605 |
61.0%
Average amount $5,167 |
Students taking out private loans |
13.0%
Average amount $12,712 |
16.0%
Average amount $14,815 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,139
Men 51.3% Women 48.7% |
1,941
Men 41.9% Women 58.1% |
Graduate students | N/A |
68
Men 45.6% Women 54.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 29.4% |
International students | 0.1% | 1.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,405 | 1,828 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Wisconsin Illinois Michigan Minnesota Arizona |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 66.1% | 78.0% |
Dropout rate | 2.5% | 3.2% |
Transferred out | 31.0% | 18.6% |
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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Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Business (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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