C+
Above Average
Score: 55/100
Overall (traditional)
C+
Outcome Rating
61/100 · earnings-weighted

Cornell College

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314
Cornell College campus, Mount Vernon, IA
Cornell College campus, Mount Vernon, IA. Photo: ArtisticAbode, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Outcomes
B+
78/100
Affordability
F
16/100
Resources
C+
56/100
Experience
A+
94/100
Prestige
D
34/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

1,084
Total Enrollment
72%
Graduation Rate
74%
Retention Rate
12.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
81%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Cornell College, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$53,460
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$39,299
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$27,000
Median debt at graduation
61.8%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,234
Average SAT
27
Median ACT
32.1%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 51% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 54th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (IA wage index 0.90). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Cornell College

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Computer Science—$84,938-21%#277 of 349#254—
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$39,164$64,510-1%#60 of 110#37$27,000
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$35,439$59,195+8%#133 of 610#117$27,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$42,756$47,762+1%#346 of 680#318$27,000
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$42,127—————
Fine and Studio Arts—$38,299-7%#296 of 423#251—
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$18,241————$26,638

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Cornell College Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $356,878
  • Avg rent near campus: $900/mo — vs ~$574/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 52401 (8.2% cap, Cedar Rapids)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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🏆 Where Cornell College Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#15
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
of 15 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $49,970 $49,970
Room $5,162
Board $6,036
Total Cost (On-Campus) $66,352 $66,352

Financial Aid

100%
Receive Any Aid
30%
Receive Pell Grants
68%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

1,084
Total Students
46%
Women
98%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 71%
Hispanic 10%
Black 8%
Asian 3%
Two or More 1%
Non-Resident 3%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 98%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Cornell College?
Cornell College has an acceptance rate of 81%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Cornell College?
Tuition at Cornell College is $49,970 for in-state students and $49,970 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Cornell College?
The graduation rate at Cornell College is 72%. This is a solid graduation rate, showing that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees.
Is Cornell College a good school?
Cornell College has a Repit College Score of 55/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Cornell College?
Cornell College has a total enrollment of 1,084 students. Most students (98%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Cornell College — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Cornell College

Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.

C+
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA · 2,703 students
C+
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA · 1,278 students
C+
Loras College
Dubuque, IA · 1,213 students
C+
Central College
Pella, IA · 1,095 students
C
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA · 1,929 students
C+
Luther College
Decorah, IA · 1,463 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology