Cornell College
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Cornell College is a private nonprofit institution located in Mount Vernon, Iowa with approximately 1,086 undergraduate students enrolled. Cornell College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 80%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,634 per year. The graduation rate is 62%, and the typical graduate earns $45,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Cornell College is a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa, United States. Originally the Iowa Conference Seminary (Methodist), the school was founded in 1853 by George Bryant Bowman. Four years later, in 1857, the name was changed to Cornell College, in honor of iron tycoon William Wesley Cornell.
Worth considering if you're drawn to small, intimate liberal arts learning — with just 1,074 undergrads and an 81% acceptance rate, it's an accessible option for students who want real attention from faculty. The financials are reasonably manageable at $25,079/year net price and $21,500 median debt, but a 72% graduation rate and median earnings of $45,400 a decade out suggest this school works best for students with a clear sense of purpose, not those still figuring out why they're going to college. The 74% freshman retention rate is a mild caution sign worth asking about on a campus visit.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,086 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Iowa
Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA · Public
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA · Public
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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