Central College
Central College, founded in 1853, is a private four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Reformed Church in America. Learn more about our history. Read our welcome statement.
Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a picturesque community of 10,000 set amid gently rolling hills 40 miles southeast of Des Moines. Pella was once described by a magazine writer as “European.” Its flower-lined streets, distinctive Dutch architecture, charming retail shops, and famous bakeries attract tourists from around the world.
The annual Tulip Festival, celebrating the town’s Dutch heritage, attracts over 150,000 visitors each year and over 350,000 to the community annually. Pella’s unique blend of sophistication and small town intimacy have been noted in several national publications, including The New Yorker and Midwest Living magazines.
Central College officially opened on Oct. 8, 1854, with a class of 37. The “campus” consisted of one two-story building containing three rudimentary classrooms. This fledgling institution grew both in size and mission during its first 60 years, eventually moving to a parcel of land donated by Pella’s founding father, Dominie Pieter Scholte. The College survived fires, three wars, and economic depression during a period of history that saw the United States double in size. It remained solvent because of the faith and dedication of its early faculty members, some of whom accepted produce from local farms as payment.
In 1916, Central was transferred from Baptist control to the Reformed Church in America. The relationship with the RCA strengthened the College as families within the denomination sent their sons and daughters to be educated for teaching and the ministry. As its academic reputation grew, Central attracted many more students from outside the denomination.
Mission
Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to helping students discover and develop their greatest potential. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence.
The College nurtures the development of the mind, while fostering spiritual and emotional maturity and physical well-being. Central integrates career preparation with the development of values essential to responsible citizenship, empowering graduates for effective service in local, national and international communities.
Courses Offered
- Accounting
- Actuarial Science
- Anthropology (cultural)
- Art
- Visual communications
- Athletic training
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business management
- Business administration
- Business economics
- Finance
- Marketing
- Not-for-profit management
- Chemistry
- Communication studies
- Computer science
- Computational science
- Economics
- Education (elementary)
- Education (secondary)
- English
- Environmental studies
- Global environmental policy
- Exercise science
- Health professions
- Health promotion
- Physical education
- Strength and conditioning
- French
- General studies
- German studies
- History
- Information systems
- Interdisciplinary major
- International management
- International studies
- African studies
- East Asian studies
- Latin American studies
- Western European studies
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Mathematics/computer science
- Music
- Music education
- Instrumental
- Vocal
- Natural science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political science
- Pre-professional programs
- Chiropractic
- Dentistry
- Engineering
- Law
- Medicine
- Ministry
- Occupational therapy
- Optometry
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Physical therapy
- Physicians assistant
- Podiatric medicine
- Veterinary medicine
- Psychology
- Religion
- Social science
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre
- Undecided/exploring
Contact Details
Central College
812 University
Pella, Iowa 50219
1-877-462-3687
Official Website: http://www.central.edu/
