Cornell College vs. Alvernia University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Alvernia University in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alvernia University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Alvernia University is in Reading, PA (Small City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alvernia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Alvernia University 14:1.

Cornell College vs. Alvernia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Alvernia University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornell College than Alvernia University ($25,220 vs. $28,645).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 23.4% lower than at Alvernia University ($11,850 vs. $15,460).
• Cornell College is 17% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alvernia University (about $7,660 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $45,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17% higher at Cornell College than at Alvernia University (about $7,660 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $45,000.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Alvernia University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 41.5% larger than aid received by Alvernia University students ($41,092 vs. $29,034).

Cornell College vs. Alvernia University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or Alvernia University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Alvernia University and Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 10 points higher than at Alvernia University (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Alvernia University 1093/1286.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Alvernia University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Alvernia University (3.41).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Alvernia University (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 13.3% at Alvernia University.

Cornell College vs. Alvernia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Alvernia University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Alvernia University's (53%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $600 more per year than Alvernia University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Alvernia University and Cornell College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Alvernia University and Cornell College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alvernia University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.