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Cornell College

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA · Town · 1,086 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$23,634
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
67%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$53,460
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
80%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is renowned for its distinctive One Course At A Time block calendar, which allows students to immerse themselves in a single subject for eighteen days before moving on to the next. This intensive academic format fosters particularly strong programs in the sciences, pre-professional tracks, and creative writing, all taught in collaborative, discussion-based classes on a beautiful hilltop campus listed entirely on the National Register of Historic Places. The student experience is highly active and tight-knit, defined by a supportive campus culture, Division III athletics, and a vibrant arts scene. Crucially, this unique block schedule gives students the flexibility to embark on month-long internships, field research, or study abroad experiences without ever falling behind in other coursework.

Wikipedia: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.

Location
Mount Vernon, IA, 52314 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ORD · Chicago O'Hare
181 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$52,660
Housing & food (on campus)$11,850
Books & supplies$1,320
Cost of attendance$66,249
Average net price$23,634
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$52,660
Housing & food (on campus)$11,850
Books & supplies$1,320
Cost of attendance$66,249
Average net price$23,634
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$16,409
$30–48k
$18,513
$48–75k
$20,177
$75–110k
$22,944
$110k+
$29,298
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
67%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
58%
Back for yr 2
80%
Transferred
22%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
64% graduated · 26% transferred · 10% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$39,299
10 yrs after entry$53,460
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$9.5k–$28k
90th percentile$35,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
80%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1234
R 575–655 · M 545–630
ACT midpoint
27
Comp 23–30 · E 21–31 · M 20–28
SAT middle 50%: 1120–1285
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Cornell College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 54%Women 46%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
14 : 1
Pell grant
32%
First-gen
20%
Family income
$80,000
Independent
3%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
69%
Hispanic
11%
Black
8%
Asian
4%
Two or more
1%
Non-resident
3%
AI/AN
2%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$39,299
After 10 yrs
$53,460
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods24
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness18
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology16
Computer Science15
Fine and Studio Arts13
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods11
Engineering, General11
Biology, General11
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies9
Finance and Financial Management Services8
History7
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities6
Psychology, General6
Political Science and Government6
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics5
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology5
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$101M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$7,926/mo
Teaching spend
$13,213
per student
Federal loans
65%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

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