Central College

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Central College was $19,800 a year.

Tuition increased 2.86% in 2022–from $19,250 the previous year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition does not tell the full story. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until after graduation.

Does Central College Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Central College is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Iowa as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Iowa colleges

Central College International Student Tuition

Central College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or Central College-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Central College:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideCentral College •Central College-specific loans •Central College-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Central College Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Central College.

Room and Board Costs at Central College

Room and board at Central College is $10,860 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Central College's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Central College?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is often pricey, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Central College campus is located in a small town setting in Iowa, not far from Des Moines and Iowa.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Central College

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Central College.

How Much Does Central College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Central College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$19,800
Room and Board	$10,860

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$30,660
Off-Campus	$19,800

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Central College

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The majority of Central College undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 718 of the 1,120 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Central College meets 75% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $16,138 a year. Around 82% of Central College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Central College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $46,743 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$38,254
Central College-Specific Loans	$5,998
Private Loans	$34,264

Most Common Loans for Central College Students
Federal Loans	99%
Institutional Loans	15%
Private loans	23%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Central College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Central College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Central College awarded 718 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $8.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.33 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Central College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Central College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Central College was $16,138 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Central College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$14,522
Off-Campus	$3,662

What will attending Central College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Central College's net cost calculator on their website.

Central College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Central College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Central College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - International Students

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About Central College

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