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    Cornell College

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    Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

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    Overview

    Not to be confused with Cornell University, Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, offers a distinctive One Course At A Time schedule, allowing students to immerse themselves in a single subject for three and a half weeks. This liberal arts college fosters close student-faculty relationships and hands-on learning.

    There are currently 1,056 undergraduates at Cornell College and the school’s acceptance rate is 79%. The tuition at Cornell College is $49,158.

    Cornell College is a United Methodist school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the United Methodist faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Cornell College to help you make an educated decision.

    Cornell College
    Liberal Arts Liberal Arts
    Liberal Arts colleges offer great opportunities for students to decide what they want to study. A Liberal Arts education is typically well-rounded and produces graduates who have a solid understanding of many topics. These schools tend to be smaller than universities.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $64,736

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $40,572

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $24,164

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown

    Tuition
    $49,158
    Books & Supplies
    $1,200
    Room & Board
    $10,872
    Other
    $3,506

    Estimated Cost:

    $64,736

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    The sticker price at Cornell College is $64,736. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Cornell College would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    Cornell College Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at Cornell College need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for Cornell College is 001856.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Colleges that Change Lives

    Cornell College is a member of the Colleges that Change Lives coalition. This is a coalition based on Loren Pope’s 1996 book about colleges that provide an education that is valuable beyond the numbers. There are many types of schools on this list, but the organization has vetted each school to ensure it is student-friendly, offering small classes and individual attention to each pupil. These schools also tend to take a holistic approach to admissions and demonstrate strong outcomes for their alumni. Schools on this list have all undergone a thorough review to ensure that they provide a quality education to their students.

    Pell Grants at Cornell College

    31% of students at Cornell College receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Cornell College.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Cornell College students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    Cornell College Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Cornell College or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    79%

    Admission Rate

    27

    Average ACT

    1230 is the median SAT score and 27 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Cornell College. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.

    Is Cornell College test-optional?

    Cornell College is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.

    What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into Cornell College?

    Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to Cornell College receive between a 23 and a 30 on their ACT, or a 1115 and a 1350 on their SAT.

    Can students submit their SAT or ACT Superscore to Cornell College?

    Yes, applicants can submit their SAT or ACT Superscore when they apply to Cornell College. You should be able to find your superscore for either test on your student portal. Keep in mind that some colleges only allow Superscores for one of the two tests, so be sure to check their website for exact details on the Superscore policy.

    February
    1

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Cornell College?

    Students must apply by February 1 to enroll at Cornell College during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 13:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 63%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Psychology

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Engineering

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    6%

    6% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    4%

    4% of graduates

    History

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Education

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 1,056

    Pell Grant 28%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 1%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 0%

    Percent Male / Female 52% / 48%

    Ethnic Diversity at Cornell College

    75% White

    9% Hispanic

    7% Black

    4% Asian / Pacific Islander

    2% International / Non-Citizen

    1% Unknown

    1% American Indian / Alaska Native

    1% Multiracial

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $53,460

    Median Debt $27,000

    Debt 10 years after graduation $286

    Graduation Rate 63%

    What is the graduation rate at Cornell College?

    63% of students who start at Cornell College end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 5% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of Cornell College go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at Cornell College, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $53,460. This is $3,069 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Cornell College take out in loans?

    Graduates of Cornell College have to take out a median of $27,000 in federal student loans. This is $13,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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