Central College

Central College, a small, private school in Pella, Iowa, offers an education that is grounded in liberal arts academics as well as civic engagement and creative expression. Central College’s more than 35 majors include a combination of professional, academic and creative fields such as Actuarial Science, Business Management, Education, English, Music, Ministry, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Theatre. Service is a large part of the Central College experience, with many courses requiring that students take on local volunteer assignments. Students have volunteered in numerous capacities, working with the homeless, the disabled and with charitable organizations like Helping Hands and Big Hearts. They also undertake research and creative service projects related to their major. Arts activities are numerous as well. Students can perform in an improvisational theatre group, join the drama department’s school play, and get involved in musical and visual arts activities and organizations. There is also a student-operated radio station and literary magazine. Central’s more than 75 other clubs and organizations include those that are cultural, religious and political. Central’s admissions criteria are fairly selective and include one’s class ranking, grades and SAT or ACT scores. Students may apply for different types of financial aid, including talent or merit scholarships to help offset tuition costs.

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