Cornell College
Cornell College is a liberal arts institution situated in Mount Vernon, Iowa, that was founded in 1853. Deemed “more selective,” Cornell is one of only 40 schools profiled by Loren Pope's book "Colleges That Change Lives" and also ranks as a top tier of national liberal arts colleges by US News & World Report. Utilizing a block schedule, Cornell students take only 1 course at a time, completing 8 per semester. Most students live on the Mount Vernon campus, which is one of only two colleges to be listed, in its entirety, on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus also features Iowa's largest ginkgo tree, an annual Culture Show, and Cornell T. Moose, a stuffed moose's head that's lived in Law Hall since 1925.
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Private
- Not for Profit
- United Methodist
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted. | November 1 | |
| Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier. | November 1 | May 1 |
| Fall Regular Decision | February 1 | June 1 |
| Spring Regular Decision | December 1 | December 15 |
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Admitted Student Stats
26%
Submitting ACT
10%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 26
Average SAT Composite: 1241
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
1,073
Total Number of Undergrads
1,058
Classroom Sizes
0
100
67%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
67%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
13:1
US National: 21:1Tuition, Cost & Aid
Key Financial Stats
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $50,634 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $50,634 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $11,358 |
| Books and Supplies | $1200 |
Aid & Grants
0
100
86%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
28%
Average Aid Per Year
$38,069
28%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$3,033
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$33,904
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
67%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$8,230
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$22,500
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$258
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Student Organizations
36
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
No
Housing
0
100
92%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
Yes
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Rams
School Colors
purple and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Midwest Conference
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Top 5 Cities
Chicago
Cedar Rapids
Minneapolis
Denver
Des Moines
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
97%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$45,400
What Students Are Saying
Cornell is great! Everyone here is very friendly, upperclassmen are happy to help you. Plus all the staff are eager to assist you in anyway they can.
Maria from Albuquerque, NM
Cornell is a small community with excellent academic opportunities. They offer fairly good financial aid and are willing to accommodate to suit a student's needs. If you are looking for an exciting social scene however, Cornell is not the school for you.
Brandon from Gilbert, IA
One of the most beautiful schools out there. The school is an amazing place for anyone who wants a different, and even Hogwarts-esque experience. From the professors to the students, Cornell College is absolutely fantastic.
Kahn from Washington, DC
Cornell College is a small, liberal arts school that focuses not only on academics, but also on personal relationships. Cornell College offers a myriad of opportunities for students to get involved on campus, in addition to resources, such as internships and study abroad programs. Overall, Cornell College is an academically rigorous, socially accepting, relationship-driven school that strives to help all students achieve their goals.
Chandra
Cornell is located in a small town, living here will mean creating your own fun or searching for activities through clubs, athletics, or greek life. People here are different in different senses of the word; we have our share of the different colors of the rainbow. The teachers are really helpful and invested, just like the students are helpful and friendly.
Anonymous
Cornell College is a fantastic, small, friendly community. The One Course At A Time model truly allows me to focus my intellectual capacities on my subject in a unique manner. At Cornell, the professors emanate a majestic aura of knowledge, wisdom, love, and passion.
Justin from CENTENNIAL, CO
I really enjoy my time in class and the small campus has given me a chance to make a network of friends quickly. The courses are incredibly rigorous and intellectually stimulating, and most of my professors have been reasonable human beings who I can talk to if need be.
Yolanda from Portland, OR
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