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Cornell College
Most applicants get into Cornell College — 79.9% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Cornell College anchors the college town of Mount Vernon, IA, where the private campus and town largely share a footprint. The school maintains its United Methodist affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $84,938 four years out. Faculty pay averages $95,112 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 1,086 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 79.5% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1150 and 1318 — above the IA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Cornell College's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Cornell College is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1150–1318 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Cornell College's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 580 | 630 | 655 |
| SAT Math | 570 | 605 | 663 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 26 | 30 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Cornell College received 3,087 applications and admitted 2,490 (80.7%), with 298 enrolling.
How Cornell College compares
| Cornell College | Iowa median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 79.9% | 80.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $52,660 | $36,684 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $53,460 | $55,396 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Cornell College's median earnings are $53,460 — below the Iowa benchmark of $55,396. Weigh that against the $52,660 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
Cornell College lists tuition at $52,660 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Cornell College's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $52,660 as the ceiling, not the bill.
With 1,086 undergraduates, Cornell College is small enough that class size and faculty access are structural, not marketing claims.
61.8% graduate within six years. Roughly 38% don't — ask a Cornell College tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Cornell College
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $84,938 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $64,510 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $59,195 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,762 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $38,299 |
Median earnings for these 5 Cornell College programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $53,460 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 43 additional Cornell College programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Cornell College?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1150–1318 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 79.9% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Cornell College's acceptance rate?
80.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 2,490 admitted from 3,087 applicants.
How much does Cornell College cost?
At Cornell College, published tuition is $52,660 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Cornell College's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Cornell College graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $53,460 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Iowa
- Coe College — 64% admitted
- Clarke University — 71.8% admitted
- Dordt University — 68.5% admitted
- Drake University — 63.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.