Cornell College vs. Mount St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount St. Mary's University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (2,408 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Mount St. Mary's University is in Emmitsburg, MD (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Mount St. Mary's University 13:1.

Cornell College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University than Cornell College ($23,027 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 21.3% lower than at Mount St. Mary's University ($11,850 vs. $15,050).
• Cornell College is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount St. Mary's University (about $4,030 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $48,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Cornell College than at Mount St. Mary's University (about $4,030 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $48,630.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Mount St. Mary's University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Mount St. Mary's University students ($41,092 vs. $40,619).

Cornell College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or Mount St. Mary's University? 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 Mount St. Mary's University and Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 40 points higher than at Mount St. Mary's University (1160).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Mount St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Mount St. Mary's University 1046/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Mount St. Mary's University 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Mount St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount St. Mary's University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Mount St. Mary's University (3.36).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Mount St. Mary's University (73.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 12.2% at Mount St. Mary's University.

Cornell College vs. Mount St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Mount St. Mary's University? 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).

• Mount St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Mount St. Mary's University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,100 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount St. Mary's University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Mount St. Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.