Every May, Pella fills with tulips and people in Dutch costume for Tulip Time, a nod to the Dutch settlers who founded the town. Central College has been here since 1853. It is a small private liberal arts college affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, with around 1,100 students. Business, exercise science, biology, education and accounting are popular, and study abroad has long been part of the college's identity.
Pella, Iowa, United States
Official website: central.edu
1853
Private liberal arts college
Reformed Church in America
Around 1,100
$44,000 – $48,000
International students, before merit scholarships
$11,000 – $13,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on central.edu before you apply.
BA Business Management
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
BA Accounting
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
BA Exercise Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
BA Biology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
BA Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
Long-running study abroad programmes of its own.
Small classes on a walkable campus.
Close ties with Pella's manufacturers.
Graduates join Pella Corporation, Vermeer and other Iowa manufacturers.
Accounting and business alumni work in Des Moines insurance and finance.
Eligible F-1 graduates can apply for OPT after finishing.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
No PG intake
Undergrad
Limited
Postgrad
No PG intake
Pella is a small, tidy town of about 10,000 with Dutch-style buildings, a windmill and a bakery known for its almond pastries.
Lake Red Rock is just outside town. Des Moines is about 45 minutes away by car, and living costs are low.
Form I-20 issued by Central College
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Central reviews applications on a rolling basis. International students should apply by spring for fall to allow time for the I-20 and visa.
Most students start in August. Spring entry is possible for some students.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Central College first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Business management, accounting, exercise science, biology and computer science are popular. Admission is based on school grades and English at about IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 70.
Yes. Central gives merit scholarships to most international students at admission, which bring the cost well below the listed price.
