March was a month of numbers. Sixty-four college basketball teams down to an elite eight. The tax filing deadline rapidly approaching. And financial aid packages hitting the mailboxes of prospective students.
Take a step back from all the big numbers swirling around your head and consider a few simple figures that show why Central College is a smart investment.
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3.95%
Central’s price rate increase for the 2013-14 school year—the lowest in 40 years and well below the national average
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$21.5 million
The total Central College awarded to students in financial assistance this year
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$26,452
The average financial aid package for Central students this year
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99%
The percentage of Central students who receive financial aid
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96%
The percentage of Central grads who cross the stage after four years or less
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96%
The percentage of Central grads who are employed in their field of choice, enrolled in graduate school or completing long-term service within a year of graduation
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76%
The percentage of Central students who complete an internship or pre-professional experience
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50%
The percentage of Central students who study abroad on one of the college’s eight international programs, compared to 1% nationally
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103
The number of full-time faculty members committed to strong mentorships and collaborative work with students
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13:1
The student-to-faculty ratio, which makes for small, discussion-based classes. Only one-third of classes have more than 20 students.
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1st
The inaugural year of the Integrated Learning program, a distinctive fusion of campus life and academics that pairs each class with its own dean.
Parents are Central
Over the years, thousands of parents have responded to these numbers and sent their children to Pella, Iowa, for a world-class education. They do not regret it.
“When interviewing graduating seniors, Central students often stand out because of their maturity, communication skills and well-rounded college experiences, including studying abroad. In short, they make great employees. Personally, we have a household of Central graduates. Three of them will eventually be earning graduate degrees and all of them are well-prepared for a lifetime of learning. We firmly believe Central College has been a good investment for our family.”
– Jon Ness of Johnston, Iowa, father of Matthew ’10, Andrew ’11 and Michelle ’12
“When our daughter selected Central College, we knew it was going to be a great investment in her future. Central offered her a way to expand her cultural experiences inside and outside of the classroom to provide a great foundation for her career and life. She was excited about their study abroad program and opportunities for service and leadership, as well as the internship possibilities. With her home almost 2,000 miles away, she has found a new family in the campus community that will support her well beyond the four years she attends Central College.”
– Michael ’83 and Lisa Hicks of Alamo, Calif., parents of Isabella ’15
“Central College has fostered an academic environment that has provided both our daughters with learning opportunities in a wide range of settings. Our personal experience, small class sizes, readily accessible academic staff, the Central Teacher Academy and academic honors program—as well as development opportunities in both athletics and the fine arts—are all examples of why we believe a four-year investment in a Central College education is a terrific value.”
– Al and Amy Purdy of Ankeny, Iowa, parents of Rachel ’13 and Sarah ’16
