Cornell College vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

Lawrence University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Cornell College vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence ($25,220 vs. $27,161).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 2.6% lower than at Lawrence University ($11,850 vs. $12,165).
• Lawrence University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $4,322 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at Lawrence than at Cornell College (about $4,322 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Lawrence University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 3.9% larger than aid received by Cornell College students ($42,688 vs. $41,092).

Cornell College vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lawrence University (1310) is 110 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Lawrence students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Lawrence (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Cornell College vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lawrence University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Lawrence University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell College graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Cornell College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($279 vs. $282).
• More Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.