Pella, IA · Private University
Is Central College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$54,317
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$20,988
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,988
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$83,952
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.59x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
69.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$26,984
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$22,353
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Central College graduates earn $9,317 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Central College ranked by graduate earnings
22 graduates
52 graduates
19 graduates
34 graduates
20 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Central College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Central College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Accounting and Related Services: $67,748) and the lowest (Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics: $30,211) is $37,537/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related ServicesBest ROI | $67,748 | 3.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,727 | 2.9x |
| Biology, General | $44,781 | 2.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,145 | 2.1x |
| Psychology, General | $39,986 | 1.9x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $38,860 | 1.9x |
| Sociology | $35,835 | 1.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsLowest(1yr data) | $30,211 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Central College stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $54,317 10 years after starting, $9,317 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.