Cornell College vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Cornell College vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Cornell? 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 Cornell ($25,220 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 39% lower than at Cornell University ($11,850 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 31.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $16,654 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.6% higher at Cornell than at Cornell College (about $16,654 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at Cornell University (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 50.3% larger than aid received by Cornell College students ($61,779 vs. $41,092).

Cornell College vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 340 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Cornell College vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Cornell? 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 University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $53,000 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($12,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($124 vs. $279).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.