Financial Aid
Our Tuition
By choosing Central, you are choosing to invest in your future. The value of Central lies in the experiences you’ll have, the people you’ll meet and the doors that will be opened to you.
Our TuitionA High-Quality Education
We work to make sure a high-quality education at Central is attainable for all students. Both academic and need-based financial aid is available, and the value of your education will endure throughout your life.
You’ll leave college better prepared for a career, having focused on hands-on learning, internships and making connections that will last a lifetime.
A Private Education:
More Affordable Than Ever
We don’t believe tuition prices should be a barrier to a quality education. Central is more affordable than ever. And that’s before financial aid!
Our commitment to affordable pricing and generous scholarship offerings make Central’s high-quality, individualized education comparable in price to that of many large public universities.
How Central Stacks Up
Our 2023-24 tuition of $20,988 is comparable with state schools. And way less than other Iowa private colleges.
$20,988 (Central’s Tuition) + $12,060 (Central’s Room & Board) = $33,048
A Comparison of Tuition + Room and Board With Other Iowa Institutions
$11,629
Average aid and scholarships a student receives from Central, federal and state awards, which can be subtracted from total price for an incredibly affordable experience.
* Estimated price to attend based on 2022-23 published price plus 4%.
Investment of a Lifetime
I felt really prepared for my career because of everything I got at Central. My professors taught me how to not treat this just as a job that just makes money but how to be invested in and enjoy it. That’s what I’m doing every day.”
Mason Muur ’20
HOMETOWN: Morrison, Illinois
MAJOR: Social Science (Endorsement in Secondary Education)
SCHOLARSHIPS: Presidential, Trustee, Ministry and Mission, Heritage, Geisler/Penquite
CAREER: Fifth Grade Teacher, Regents School of Charlottesville, Charlottesville, Virginia
Crunch the Numbers
- 96% of Central College graduates are employed two years after graduation — compared to 83% nationally.*
- 100% of Central College students receive financial aid.
Next Step – File the FAFSA
Filing the FAFSA is the first step toward maximizing your financial aid. You can begin filing Oct. 1.
Shaping a New Path Forward
The L.A. Garrison Scholarship for the Nontraditional Learner recognizes the potential in Central students. 2021-22 award recipient Madilynn Pietzman ’25 is grateful for the opportunities the scholarship has provided her.
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