Central College, founded in 1853, is a private four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. Learn more about our history. Read our welcome statement.
Mission Statement:
Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to helping students discover and develop their greatest potential. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence.
The College nurtures the development of the mind, while fostering spiritual and emotional maturity and physical well-being. Central integrates career preparation with the development of values essential to responsible citizenship, empowering graduates for effective service in local, national, and international communities.
Majors at Central: 39 majors, with pre-professional advising available in several fields.
Internships: 76% of Central students complete at least one internship or pre-professional experience. Sites include Iowa, Chicago, Washington D.C., London, Paris, Vienna, or any of Central's eight study abroad locations.
Placement rate: 97% of Central graduates are employed in their field of choice or have enrolled in graduate school within 1 year of graduation
Average class size: 20 students
Student to faculty ratio: 14-to-1
Number of faculty members: 92 full-time faculty members
Percent of faculty with Ph.D. or other terminal degree: 89 percent
Number of students: 1,700
Student Profile (2009 New Freshman class):
Residential Campus: Central students live on campus all 4 years creating a community of scholars that many students call "family." Learn more about housing/roommates.
Cost (tuition, room, board and fees): $34,944 (2010-11)
Percent of students receiving financial aid: 98 percent
Location: Pella, Iowa, just 40 minutes southeast of Iowa's capital city of Des Moines and two minutes from Lake Red Rock. Pella is a thriving community of 10,000 and home to several large international companies such as Pella Corporation (Pella Windows), Vermeer Manufacturing, Heritage Lace, and Precision Pulley. The city of Pella is known for tourism and the annual Tulip Time Festival that brings over 200,000 visitors each year.
Student Organizations: over 80 And there is lots to do on campus! Each year our Campus Activities Board (CAB) sponsors musicians, comedians, and other events. There were over 50 CAB sponsored events and over 255 student organized events this year! Check out our calendar of events.
Students Studying Abroad: Over 50 percent of Central students study overseas, compared to 1 percent nationally. Find out more about Central's nationally recognized study abroad programs!
Off-campus programs: Chicago or Washington, D.C.
National Recognition:
Notable Alumni:
Top employers of Central Graduates: Principal Financial Group, Pella Corporation, Hormel Foods, ING, John Deere, Pella Community School District and numerous other Iowa Community School Districts, Wells Fargo, Rockwell Collins, Vermeer Manufacturing, Cargill, Pioneer Hybrid, Children and Families of Iowa, Science Center of Des Moines, and Advanced Technologies Group.
Graduate Placement : 25% of Central graduates attend graduate school within 1 year of graduation. 96% were accepted into their first choice institution. The remaining 4% were accepted into their second choice.
Graduate Schools include: Duke University, The University of Iowa, Oxford University, Institut Catholique - Paris, Ohio State University, Cleveland College of Chiropractic, DePaul University, Des Moines University, Creighton University, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Texas A & M University, Western Theological Seminary, Art Institute of Chicago, University of Granada - Spain, and Washington University.
Wired? Each room has internet and cable TV hookups.
Wireless? Central's campus is completely wireless - including academic buildings, residence halls, and common areas.
Safety: Pella offers a very safe community.
Athletics:
Administration:
Accreditation:
Learn more about Central's accreditation.
Environmental Mission:
Central College is a leader in environmental stewardship in Iowa and the Midwest.
Learn more about Central College's commitment to the environment and campus sustainability efforts on the SUSTAIN website.
