For the third year in a row, Central College has announced its smallest price increase in more than 40 years. Total price for tuition, room and board next year will be just 2.9 percent higher, compared to 3.5 a year ago and 3.95 the previous year.
“Central College takes its commitment to students, families and affordability very seriously,” said Central College President Mark Putnam. “Our board of trustees understands Central’s partnership with families and the great benefit of investing in students.”
Tuition for 2015-16 will be $33,345, with $4,892 for room and $5,088 for 20 meals per week. Room and board are identical to this year’s prices.
In addition to limiting tuition, Central offers strong financial aid awards to ensure the college is affordable. More than 99 percent of students receive financial aid, including scholarships supported by alumni and donors. Financial aid packages awarded each spring may include scholarships, gift assistance, work study and student loans.
Grace Hirl, a senior business management and Spanish major from Oskaloosa, received a Journey Scholarship funded by alumni and friends of Central College. “Coming from a family with 10 siblings, I didn’t think a private education was feasible,” Hirl said. Central made it possible, and the skill set and experiences I’ve gained here will pay dividends in my future.”
“Central College takes its commitment to students, families and affordability very seriously.” – Central College President Mark Putnam
The college also makes sure each student can graduate in four years — an important factor for determining cost. If students fall behind at other colleges, they pay more tuition and lose wages they would earn after a timely graduation. At Central, 92 percent of graduates finish in four years or fewer, and 93 percent are employed in a field of their choice, enrolled in graduate/professional school or completing a year of service within a year of graduation.
Putnam said college faculty and administrators are committed to making Central valuable as well as affordable. “Students, alumni and professionals know that Central delivers on its experience,” Putnam said, “with academic rigor and strength in global experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sustainability education, athletics success and tradition, and leadership and service.”
Central supporters also made significant new investments for students this year. The Fred Maytag Family Foundation gave $3.125 million to renovate the Maytag Student Center, creating new dining and gathering spaces for students, as well as an entire lower level dedicated to fitness and wellness. Another gift established the Thomas J. and Charlene P. Gaard Endowed Residency in the Liberal Arts, which allows Central to host notable scholars for multi-day residencies. The Arthur J. Bosch Endowment for Student Research enables students to conduct research with Central faculty, and support from the Vermeer Charitable Foundation boosts efforts for international initiatives, including the hiring of Frederik Schlingemann, director for international student recruitment and admission.
