Cornell College vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Saint Benedict is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,429 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

Cornell College vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict ($25,220 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 5.6% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($11,850 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $3,096 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Saint Benedict than at Cornell College (about $3,096 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at College of Saint Benedict (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 2.6% larger than aid received by College of Saint Benedict students ($41,092 vs. $40,048).

Cornell College vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 60 points higher than at Saint Benedict (1140).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Saint Benedict).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; College of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Saint Benedict has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

Cornell College vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Saint Benedict? 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).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Saint Benedict graduates have a $657 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($26,343 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Saint Benedict graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($272 vs. $279).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.