Cornell College vs. Augustana University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Augustana University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (2,390 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Augustana University is in Sioux Falls, SD (Midsize City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Augustana University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Augustana University 12:1.

Cornell College vs. Augustana University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Augustana 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 Augustana University than Cornell College ($24,977 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augustana University are 12.9% lower than at Cornell College ($10,326 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 31.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Augustana University (about $12,500 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $40,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.1% higher at Cornell College than at Augustana University (about $12,500 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $40,160.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Augustana University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 35% larger than aid received by Augustana University students ($41,092 vs. $30,445).

Cornell College vs. Augustana University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or Augustana 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 Augustana University and Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Augustana University (1260) is 60 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Augustana University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Augustana University 1150/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Augustana University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Augustana University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Augustana University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Augustana University (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 26.1% at Augustana University.

Cornell College vs. Augustana University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Augustana 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 Augustana University's (65%).
• Graduates from Augustana University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Augustana University and Cornell College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Augustana University and Cornell College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Augustana University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 74%)

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.