Tuition, Room, Board, Fees
Students entering fall semester 2024-25 will be charged tuition (based on a flat amount for 12-18 credits), room, board and fees. Students may choose the board plan that fits their needs.
The charges given in the table below are for 2024-25. Charges for 2025-26 will be determined in January 2025. For more information, call toll-free 877-462-3687 and request a printed copy of Central’s fees for 2024-25.
2024-25 Tuition, Room, Board, Fees
| Total (2 Semesters) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition (12-18 credits) | $20,988 |
| Board (19-meal plan) | $6,260 |
| Board (14-meal plan) | $5,960 |
| Board (10-meal plan) | $5,360 |
| Room (normal occupancy) | $5,800 |
| TOTAL (19-meal plan) | $33,048 |
| TOTAL (14-meal plan) | $32,748 |
| TOTAL (10-meal plan) | $32,148 |
Tuition
Tuition is $10,494.00 for 12 semester hours and $875.00 per semester hour for those credits outside the 12-18 semester hours that constitute the normal academic load. For example, a part-time student who elects to carry 10 semester hours of credit will be charged $8,750.00 for tuition (10 x $875.00). A full-time student who elects to carry 19 credits of non-tuition exempt credit (see overload policy below) will be charged $11,369.00 ($10,494.00 plus $875.00) for the extra semester hour of credit.
Overload
Students who wish to register for more than 18 semester hours will need permission from the registrar’s office unless they are enrolled in one or more of the following overload-exempt courses: group ensembles (MUSG courses), Mock Trial (GENR 214), 1-2 credits Central teachers academy internships (EDUC 397), honors enrichment courses, interdisciplinary honors seminar, senior honors thesis courses/projects, honors seminar (HONR 191/ HONR 391), Writing 293, private music instruction (MUSL courses; instructional fee still applies) and Peer Instructor for the Central College Kickstarter.
Room
The basic charge for all on-campus residence units is $2,900 per semester. The general rule is two persons per room. An additional charge of $725 per semester is assessed for a private single room and $1,000 for a private double room.
Board
Three meal plans are offered: a 19-meal plan, a 14-meal plan or a 10-meal plan. The 2023-24 rate for the 19-meal plan is $3,130 per semester; the 14-meal plan is $2,980; the 10-meal plan is $2,680. A commuter meal plan is available for students living off campus. A commuter meal plan can be purchased for $445 and includes 50 meals. The meal plan week runs from Saturday through Friday.
- The 19 Meal Plan is $3,130 per semester for 19 swipes per week or up to 4 swipes per day. A maximum of two swipes may be used per meal period. Students will also receive $150 in Dutch Guilders per semester for meal purchases at the Market, Fred’s or the Café. Any balance of Dutch Guilders remaining at the end of the semester will be lost. A swipe used at Fred’s or the Café is good for value meal only during the designated meal time.
- The 14 Meal Plan is $2,980 per semester for 14 swipes per week or up to 4 swipes per day. A maximum of two swipes may be used per meal period. Students will also receive $150 in Dutch Guilders per semester for meal purchases at the Market, Fred’s or the Café. Any balance of Dutch Guilders remaining at the end of the semester will be lost. A swipe used at Fred’s or the Café is good for value meal only during the designated meal time.
- The 10 Meal Plan is $2,680 per semester for 10 swipes per week or up to 4 swipes per day. A maximum of two swipes may be used per meal period. Students will also receive $75 in Dutch Guilders per semester for meal purchases at the Market, Fred’s or the Café. Any balance of Dutch Guilders remaining at the end of the semester will be lost. A swipe used at Fred’s or the Café is good for value meal only during the designated meal time.
Additional Fees
Class or Program Fees
| Monthly Payment Plan Electronic | $20 per term |
| Art (161, 267, 270,350,367,370) | $25 |
| Kinesiology (111, 151, 215, 257, 361) | $60 |
| Ceramics I and II (262, 362) | $50 |
| COSC-210 | $50 |
| Engineering (214, 322, 485) | $100 |
| General – Science Lab | $125 |
| Glassblowing Fee (ART-265/365) | $175 |
| Psychology (PSYC 348) | $100 |
| Music Lesson Fee 1 credit, private 1/2 hr lesson, 13 lessons required 2 credit, private 1 hr lesson, 13 lessons required 1 credit, class (weekly/ group lessons) Organ practice time per week |
$390 $780 $110 $10 |
| Student Teaching: Pella campus-based | $120 |
| Student Teaching: Special permission off-site | $500 |
| Audit, General (above or below block per semester hour) | $75 |
| Book Fees (BMGT-261, 362, 363) | $15 |
Miscellaneous Fees and Deposits
| Monthly Payment Plan Electronic | $20 per term |
| Audit, General (per semester hour) | $75 |
| Enrollment Deposit Freshman/new student – no refund after May 1 |
$200 |
| Housing Deposit | $200 |
| Chicago (non-refundable, paid directly to program) Application Fee Deposit |
$50 $325 |
| Washington (non-refundable, paid directly to program) Application Fee Housing Deposit |
$60 $300 |
Off-Campus Faculty-Led Programs
| Fee based on program content, location, location plus transportation | $300 deposit (non-refundable) |
Semester International Programs
| Deposit | $750 |
Summer Tuition
| On-campus per credit hour | $500 |
| Online per credit hour | $300 |
| Internships per credit hour | $300 |
| Business Horizons | $125 |
| Summer Faculty-led for credit, per credit hour | $300 |
Community-Based Learning – Student Travel Reimbursement (round trip)
| Des Moines | $12 |
| Ottumwa | $12 |
| Newton | $7 |
| Knoxville | $6 |
| Oskaloosa | $6 |
Library/Media Materials & Equipment
| Overdue Books & CDs Max | $0.25/day |
| Lost Book | Replacement cost + $15 fine |
| Periodicals, Videos | $1.00/day |
| Hourly Reserves | $1.00/hour |
| Video & A.V. Equipment | $1.00/day |
| 3-Day Reserves | $1.00/day |
| Other Audio Video Equipment | $1.00/day |
| Maximum fine for overdue items Books, periodicals, etc. Video equipment |
$5 $25 |
| Library/Media Lost Items Fines and Fees | Replacement cost + overdue fine + $15 processing |
Additional course fees may be applied for courses including a travel component. Check the searchable schedule for information.
Music ensembles may have additional fees based on tour schedules.