Why Choose Central?
Discover Endless Opportunities
Welcome to Central College! We’re located in Pella, Iowa, where about 1,100 students bent on making connections between people, ideas and actions — and using them to improve the world — get a flying start.
We offer dozens of academic programs that will challenge you to use every last brain cell, including majors and minors, professional programs and pre-professional tracks.
Our Tuition is $20,998!
Central’s affordable tuition means you can get a personalized, private college education — complete with small class sizes, accessible faculty mentors and a close, supportive community — for a price comparable to that of a big state school. And scholarships are still available!
More Than Great Academics
We also know how to have fun: Central is home to the world’s only Lemming Race. Once a year at Homecoming, you can put on your craziest costume, race your fellow students to the island and jump into the campus pond.
We also have 21 Division III athletics teams, more than 60 campus clubs and organizations and a plethora of off-campus experiences options — all in charming and globally connected Pella, Iowa. It’s rated one of the top three places to live in the country according to 247wallst.com. And it’s home to three international corporations, with a half-dozen more nearby.
We’re Committed To You
Do your part and you’ll graduate within four years — or your ninth semester’s tuition is on us. And we’ll offer you at least one real-world internship, service or job shadowing experience while you’re here. You’ll graduate on time — career or grad school ready.
90% of our graduates
get into their first- or second-choice graduate programs.
More than 99% of our students
receive financial aid.
Nearly 100% of our graduates
are working in an area of interest or enrolled in graduate or professional school or service programs one year post-graduation.
Let’s Get to Know Each Other
We’d love to get to know you better — and tell you a bit more about us. We’ll send you information about life at Central and keep you in the loop about upcoming visit days and scholarship deadlines.
Founded on Football
When Nick Bandy ’25 transferred to Central College, he discovered the college experience he was always searching for, complete with lifelong friendships, focus on academics and football.
