Cornell College vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

Chatham University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (2,309 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Chatham University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Chatham University 10:1.

Cornell College vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($25,220 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 12.9% lower than at Chatham University ($11,850 vs. $13,600).
• Cornell College is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chatham (about $8,034 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $44,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at Cornell College than at Chatham University (about $8,034 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $44,626.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Chatham University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 36.5% larger than aid received by Chatham University students ($41,092 vs. $30,095).

Cornell College vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or Chatham? 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 Chatham and Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 20 points higher than at Chatham (1180).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Chatham).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Cornell College vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Chatham? 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 Chatham University's (60%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chatham students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

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.