Cornell College vs. Grinnell

Comparable Facts

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

Grinnell College is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,788 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cornell College vs. Grinnell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Grinnell? 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 Grinnell ($25,220 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 29.6% lower than at Grinnell College ($11,850 vs. $16,842).
• Grinnell College is 29.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $15,446 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at Grinnell than at Cornell College (about $15,446 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at Grinnell College (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Grinnell College students is 19.4% larger than aid received by Cornell College students ($49,077 vs. $41,092).

Cornell College vs. Grinnell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Grinnell College (1480) is 280 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Grinnell students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Grinnell College 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Grinnell College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Grinnell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Grinnell students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Grinnell (14.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 30.9% at Grinnell.

Cornell College vs. Grinnell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Grinnell College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Grinnell College earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,500 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Grinnell College graduates have a $13,830 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($13,170 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Grinnell graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($136 vs. $279).
• More Grinnell 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.