Cornell College vs. Drake

Comparable Facts

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

Drake University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (4,345 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Drake University is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drake University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Drake University 11:1.

Cornell College vs. Drake Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Drake? 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 Drake ($25,220 vs. $29,565).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 4.8% lower than at Drake University ($11,850 vs. $12,452).
• Cornell College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Drake (about $530 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Cornell College than at Drake University (about $530 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $52,130.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Drake University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 15.8% larger than aid received by Drake University students ($41,092 vs. $35,498).

Cornell College vs. Drake Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drake University (1230) is 30 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Cornell College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at Drake (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Drake University 1110/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Drake University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Drake - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Drake students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Drake (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 9.8% at Drake.

Cornell College vs. Drake Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Drake? 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).

• Drake University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Drake University earn a median of about $23,100 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,500 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Drake University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Drake graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Drake graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.