About
Contact & Visit
Campus Visits Contact
Contact
Sue Cerwinske
Visit Coordinator
Visit Coordinator
Address
812 University
Box 5100
Pella, IA 50219
Box 5100
Pella, IA 50219
Phone
641-628-7616
Email
admission@central.edu
Experience College Life
Most Popular Places On Campus
Geisler Cafe
Kuyper Athletic Complex
Maytag Student Activity Center
Schipper Fitness Center
Central Market Cafeteria
Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1400 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics. Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state’s largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.
Kuyper Athletic Complex
Maytag Student Activity Center
Schipper Fitness Center
Central Market Cafeteria
Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1400 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics. Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state’s largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.
Most Popular Places Off Campus
Smokey Row Coffee House
Jaarsma Bakery
Lake Red Rock
Historic downtown Pella
Pella Cinema Movie Theatre
Annual Tulip Time Festival filled with parades, costumes, flowers, street scrubbing, Dutch dancing, crafts, food, music and more.
Jaarsma Bakery
Lake Red Rock
Historic downtown Pella
Pella Cinema Movie Theatre
Annual Tulip Time Festival filled with parades, costumes, flowers, street scrubbing, Dutch dancing, crafts, food, music and more.
Campus Tours
Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Select Saturdays
Average Length: 1 hour
Dates: Year-round
Times: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Select Saturdays
Average Length: 1 hour
On Campus Interview
Campus Interviews
Yes
Information Sessions
Available
Times
Varies
Faculty and Coach Visits
Dates/Times Available
Year-round
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Advance Notice
1 week
Contact Email Address for Visit
admission@central.edu
Class Visits
Dates/Times Available
Academic Year
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Overnight Dorm Stays
Overnight Dorm Stays
Available
Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office
Limitations
Offered Sun.-Thurs. and must be at least a high school senior and admitted
Transportation
Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Shuttle/bus service offered for college breaks and at the start/end of each semester.
Driving Instructions to Campus
From DesMoines, take IA-Hwy 163 east approximately 35 miles.
Local Accommodations
Pella has a variety of hotels and bed and breakfasts.
Save SchoolAdmissions
Admissions
Overview
Applicants: 3,071
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Average HS GPA: 3.56
SAT & ACT Test Scores
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
410 - 560
SAT Math
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
470 - 600
ACT Composite Scores
25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)
20 - 26
Testing Policies
Standardized testing policy for use in admission
Requires applicants to submit either the SAT or ACT
Deadlines
Regular — August 15
Other Admission Factors
Academic
Rigor of Secondary School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Selectivity Rating
Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.
Learn MoreAcademics
Academics
Faculty and Class Information
Student/Faculty
12:1
Total Faculty
105
with Terminal Degree
89
56
Men
49
Women
13
Minority
Most frequent class size
10 - 19
Most frequent lab / sub section size
10 - 19
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
Graduate in 5 years
Graduate in 6 years
Majors
-
BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Exercise Physiology.
-
BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Accounting.
Business/Commerce, General.
International Business/Trade/Commerce.
-
COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
-
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
Information Science/Studies.
-
EDUCATION.
Elementary Education and Teaching.
Music Teacher Education.
Secondary Education and Teaching.
-
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES AND ENGINEERING-RELATED FIELDS.
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
Engineering Technology, General.
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians.
-
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.
English Language and Literature, General.
-
FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.
French Language and Literature.
German Language and Literature.
Linguistics.
Spanish Language and Literature.
-
HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Athletic Training/Trainer.
-
HISTORY.
History, General.
-
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
General Studies.
-
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics, General.
-
MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
International/Global Studies.
Mathematics and Computer Science.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Natural Sciences.
-
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.
Environmental Studies.
-
PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.
Philosophy.
Religion/Religious Studies.
-
PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Physics, General.
-
PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.
-
SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Anthropology.
Economics, General.
Political Science and Government, General.
Social Sciences, General.
Sociology.
-
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Art/Art Studies, General.
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
Music, General.
Degrees
Bachelor's
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
Notable Faculty
Prominent Alumni
Harry Smith
Correspondent on NBC’s “Rock Center with Brian Williams”;Reporter, NBC News
Richard Schultz
Former exec director US Olympic Committee;Pres/CEO Global Sport Enterprises
Bernadette Allen
Retired ambassador to Niger, U.S. Department of State
Vern Den Herder
Retired defensive end, Miami Dolphins, played in four Super Bowls
Tom Koos
President/CEO of Weber-Stephen Products
Brooke Bouma
WHO-TV Co-anchor of Today in Iowa (Local NBC affiliate)
Kevin Kriegel
Singer, Phoenix Chorale, Grammy™ Award Winner
Careers
Graduation Rates
Graduate in 4 years
Graduate in 5 years
Graduate in 6 years
Career Services
On-Campus Job Interviews Available
Yes
Career Services
Alumni Network
Alumni Services
Classes
Interest Inventory
Internships
Regional Alumni
Opportunities at School
Coop
Experiential
Internship
ROI & Outcomes
Tuition & Aid
Tuition & Aid
Dates
Application Deadlines
Notification Date
Mar 1
Required Forms
FAFSA
Financial Aid Statistics
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$25,326
Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid
$23,866
Average Need-Based Loan
$3,850
Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program
78%
Average amount of loan debt per graduate
$37,169
Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package
$17,438
Financial aid provided to international students
Yes
Expenses per Academic Year
Tuition
Required Fees
Average Cost for Books and Supplies
Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study
No
Board for Commuters
Transportation for Commuters
Available Aid
Financial Aid Methodology
Federal
Scholarships and Grants
Need-Based
Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds
Need-Based Federal Pell
Need-Based Private Scholarships
Need-Based SEOG
Need-Based State Scholarships
Non-Need-Based
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)
College/university loans from institutional funds
Federal Perkins Loans
Federal Perkins Loans
Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)
Yes
Direct Lender
No
Student Body
Student Body
Overall
Student Body Profile
Total Undergraduate Enrollment
1,274
Foreign Countries Represented
6
Demographics
1.31%
Asian
2.20%
Black
4.24%
Hispanic
87.35%
Caucasian
3.02%
Unknown
53% female
47% male
21% are out of state
97% are full time
3% are part time
Campus Life
Campus Life
Overview
Campus Life
Undergrads living on campus
91%
Help finding off-campus housing
Yes
First-Year Students living on campus
100%
Campus Environment
Village
Housing Options
Disabled Student
Dorms Coed
Dorms Female
Dorms Coed
Dorms Female
Dorms Male
Frat Sorority
Other
Theme Housing
Frat Sorority
Other
Theme Housing
Special Needs Admissions
College Entrance Tests Required
No
Interview Required
No
Special Need Services Offered
Student Activities
Registered Student Organizations
80
Number of Honor Societies
9
Number of Social Sororities
3
Number of Religious Organizations
5
3% join a fraternity
2% join a sorority
Sports
Athletic Division
Division III
Men's Sports (Dutch)
10 Sports
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling
Women's Sports (Dutch)
9 Sports
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball
Student Services
LGBT Support Groups: Common Ground (Gay-Straight Alliance)
One Iowa (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance)
Minority Support Groups: Secular Student Alliance
Coalition for a Multicultural Campus House (residence and haven for students who are identify strongly with those with a minority status)
Intercultural Student Life Office
Sustainability
60*
Campus Security Report
Campus Security Report
The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.
Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety
The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
Other Information
Campus-wide Internet Network
Yes
% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet
100
Fee for Network Use
No
Partnerships with Technology Companies
Yes
Personal computer included in tuition for each student
No
Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors
Yes
Description
Dell, Apple
Wellness Program/Clinical Offerings
Institution has a mental health/wellness program that makes counseling, referral, and well-being services available to all students
Not Reported
Mental Health Website
Not Reported
Education & Training
Types of training available for students and faculty/staff
Program
Availability
Not Reported
Not Reported
Not Reported
Not Reported
Not Reported
Engaging the Whole Campus
Institution has a Chief Behavioral Health Officer (and/or Chief Wellness Officer)
Not Reported
Peer-to-Peer
Institution has peer-to-peer offerings relating to mental health
Not Reported
Residential Life
Institution incorporates mental health and wellness into the residential experience
Not Reported
Student Orientation
Students who are provided an opportunity to participate in mental-health-orientation activities
First-year students
Not Reported
Incoming transfer students
Not Reported
Returning students
Not Reported
Entering graduate students
Not Reported
Mental Health in the Curriculum
The institution offers for-credit mental health/well-being education for students
Not Reported
The institution offers non-credit mental health/well-being education for students
Not Reported
Off-Campus Offerings
Institution offers referrals to off-campus counseling services
Not Reported
Health and Counseling Center Accreditation
Institution's counseling center is accredited
Not Reported
Accrediting body
Not Reported
Taking and Returning from Medical Leave
Institution has an official support program in place for students returning from mental health leave of absence
Not Reported
Counseling Demand
Number of months a year counseling center is open and fully staffed
Not Reported
