Cornell College vs. Calvin University

Deciding between Cornell College and Calvin University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Cornell College
Calvin University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA
  • Calvin University Grand Rapids, MI
  • Setting
  • Cornell College Distant Town
  • Calvin University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cornell College 1,094
  • Calvin University 3,681
  • Type
  • Cornell College Private 4 Year
  • Calvin University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Cornell College #483
  • Calvin University #299
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Cornell College United Methodist
  • Calvin University Christian Reformed Church
  • Status
  • Cornell College Non-profit
  • Calvin University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Cornell College
  • Calvin University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Cornell College $52,660
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Cornell College $52,660
  • Calvin University $39,350
  • Room & Board
  • Cornell College $11,850
  • Calvin University $12,120
  • Average Net Price
  • Cornell College $25,220
  • Calvin University $25,231
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Cornell College $41,092
  • Calvin University $29,123
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Cornell College 100%
  • Calvin University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Cornell College 2,522
  • Calvin University 5,723
  • Admitted
  • Cornell College 2,015
  • Calvin University 4,058
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Cornell College 79.9%
  • Calvin University 70.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Cornell College 14.3%
  • Calvin University 21.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cornell College 1200
  • Calvin University 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cornell College 26
  • Calvin University 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Cornell College 3.53
  • Calvin University 3.84
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Cornell College A-
  • Calvin University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Cornell College Challenging
  • Calvin University Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Cornell College
  • Calvin University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Cornell College 23/30
  • Calvin University 24/30
  • SAT Range
  • Cornell College 1120/1285
  • Calvin University 1083/1330
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Cornell College Test optional
  • Calvin University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Cornell College
  • Calvin University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Cornell College 14:1
  • Calvin University 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Cornell College
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Calvin University
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Cornell College 70%
  • Calvin University 77%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Cornell College $45,400
  • Calvin University $47,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Cornell College 74%
  • Calvin University 81%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Cornell College $27,000
  • Calvin University $26,449
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Cornell College $279
  • Calvin University $273
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Cornell College 54%
  • Calvin University 47%
  • % Women
  • Cornell College 46%
  • Calvin University 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Cornell College Medium
  • Calvin University Low
  • HBCU
  • Cornell College No
  • Calvin University No
  • % White
  • Cornell College 66%
  • Calvin University 74%
  • % Asian
  • Cornell College 3%
  • Calvin University 4%
  • % Black
  • Cornell College 5%
  • Calvin University 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Cornell College 13%
  • Calvin University 4%
  • % Native American
  • Cornell College 1%
  • Calvin University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Cornell College 0%
  • Calvin University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Cornell College 3%
  • Calvin University 4%
  • % International
  • Cornell College 3%
  • Calvin University 10%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Cornell College 7%
  • Calvin University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Cornell College 28%
  • Calvin University 62%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Cornell College 68%
  • Calvin University 24%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Cornell College Yes
  • Calvin University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Cornell College No
  • Calvin University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Cornell College Yes
  • Calvin University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Cornell College No
  • Calvin University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Cornell College No
  • Calvin University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Calvin University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (3,681 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Calvin University is in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting).
  • Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Calvin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Calvin University 13:1.

Cornell College vs. Calvin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Calvin 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 Calvin University ($25,220 vs. $25,231).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 2.2% lower than at Calvin University ($11,850 vs. $12,120).
  • Cornell College is 33.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Calvin University (about $13,310 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.8% higher at Cornell College than at Calvin University (about $13,310 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $39,350.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Calvin University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 41.1% larger than aid received by Calvin University students ($41,092 vs. $29,123).

Cornell College vs. Calvin University Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Calvin University (1210) is 10 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
  • Incoming Calvin University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Calvin University 1083/1330.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Calvin University 24/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Calvin University - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman Calvin University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
  • Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Calvin University (70.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 21.4% at Calvin University.

Cornell College vs. Calvin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Calvin 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).

  • Calvin University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
  • Graduates from Calvin University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,000 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Calvin University graduates have a $551 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($26,449 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Calvin University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($273 vs. $279).
  • More Calvin University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.