Why Central?
Central College is a place where you can go farther than you ever dreamed!
Get to know us!
Download our "Just the Facts"
Central College, founded in 1853, is a private four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. Learn more about Central College's history. Read our welcome statement.
Majors at Central: 36 majors, with pre-professional advising available in several fields. See the majors Central has to offer!
Internships: Nearly half of Central students complete at least one internship. These opportunities include sites in central Iowa, Chicago, Washington, DC, or at one of Central's study abroad locations. While an internship is not required to graduate, students from all majors are encouraged to get career-related experience through an internship, during the academic year or the summer between one's junior and senior years
Average class size: 20 students
Student to faculty ratio: 14-to-1
Number of faculty members: 94 full-time faculty members
Percent of faculty with a Ph.D. or other terminal degree: 90%
Number of students: 1,600
Student Profile: Average ACT of entering class is 24 (SAT 1100/1600), average GPA is 3.49. 24% are ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. Nearly 50% enter with advanced placement or college credit. 54% female, 46% male.
Cost (tuition, room, board and fees): $30,134 (2007-2008)
Percent of students receiving financial aid: 98%. Learn more about Financial Aid
Where is Central College located? Central is located in Pella, Iowa just 40 miles southeast of Iowa's capital city of Des Moines and two minutes from Lake Red Rock. Directions and campus map.
Number of students studying overseas: Nearly 45% of Central students study overseas (as compared to 2% nationally). Learn more about Central College Abroad.
Off-campus programs: Many Central students study and intern in Chicago or Washington, DC.
Rankings: Central is listed in the U.S.News & World Report's 2008 edition of America's Best Colleges, a Best Buys in College Education by Barron's Magazine; a "Best Midwestern College" by The Princeton Review; on the Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges” by the John Templeton Foundation; and named a "Hidden Treasure" by Newsweek/Kaplan How to Get Into College.
Student Organizations: Over 80 clubs and organizations. See our complete list of student organizations.
Wired? Each room has internet and cable TV hookups.
Wireless? Central’s library, Maytag Student Center, Vermeer Science Center, and the “Pods” (senior housing) have wireless network access.
Safety: Pella offers students a very safe community in which to live. See the annual security report.
Central's athletics: Central is part of the Division III with 19 sports programs. One of the best in the nation, Central has won eleven NCAA Division III team championships and 139 Iowa Conference titles.
College Administration:
Board of Trustees
President - Dr. David Roe
Strategic Plan
Central's Accreditation:
Central is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, Iowa Department of Public Instruction, AACTE, National Association of Schools of Music and the American Chemical Society. Learn more about our accreditation.
Central's environmental mission: Central College is a leader in environmental stewardship in Iowa and the Midwest by receiving the state's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating by the U.S. Green Building Council, earning silver in 2003 for the renovation of the Vermeer Science Center and a gold LEED rating in 2004 for the “Pods” residential hall. Central has committed to following LEED guidelines for all new campus construction and is committed to an environmentally friendly campus. Learn more about our environmental mission.
Central College 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.
