Cornell College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University

Deciding between Cornell College and Nebraska Wesleyan University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Cornell College
Nebraska Wesleyan University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NE
  • Setting
  • Cornell College Distant Town
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cornell College 1,094
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 1,654
  • Type
  • Cornell College Private 4 Year
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Cornell College #483
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University #468
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Cornell College United Methodist
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University United Methodist
  • Status
  • Cornell College Non-profit
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Cornell College
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Cornell College $52,660
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $43,572
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Cornell College $52,660
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $43,572
  • Room & Board
  • Cornell College $11,850
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $11,915
  • Average Net Price
  • Cornell College $25,220
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $21,122
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Cornell College $41,092
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $32,863
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Cornell College 100%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Cornell College 2,522
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2,725
  • Admitted
  • Cornell College 2,015
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2,175
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Cornell College 79.9%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 79.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Cornell College 14.3%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 16.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cornell College 1200
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 1160
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cornell College 26
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • Cornell College 3.53
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Cornell College A-
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Cornell College Challenging
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Cornell College
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University
  • ACT Range
  • Cornell College 23/30
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 22/27
  • SAT Range
  • Cornell College 1120/1285
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 1020/1290
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Cornell College Test optional
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Cornell College
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Cornell College 14:1
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Cornell College
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University
    • Business (21%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Cornell College 70%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 64%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Cornell College $45,400
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $51,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Cornell College 74%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Cornell College $27,000
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Cornell College $279
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Cornell College 54%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 44%
  • % Women
  • Cornell College 46%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Cornell College Medium
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Cornell College No
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University No
  • % White
  • Cornell College 66%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 85%
  • % Asian
  • Cornell College 3%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2%
  • % Black
  • Cornell College 5%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Cornell College 13%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 5%
  • % Native American
  • Cornell College 1%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Cornell College 0%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Cornell College 3%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2%
  • % International
  • Cornell College 3%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Cornell College 7%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Cornell College 28%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 65%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Cornell College 68%
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University 31%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Cornell College Yes
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Cornell College No
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Cornell College Yes
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Cornell College No
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Cornell College No
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University No
  • Learn More
  • Cornell College Details
  • Nebraska Wesleyan University Details

Comparable Facts

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

Nebraska Wesleyan University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,654 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Nebraska Wesleyan University is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
  • Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Nebraska Wesleyan University 12:1.

Cornell College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University than Cornell College ($21,122 vs. $25,220).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 0.5% lower than at Nebraska Wesleyan University ($11,850 vs. $11,915).
  • Cornell College is 20.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska Wesleyan University (about $9,088 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $43,572.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Cornell College than at Nebraska Wesleyan University (about $9,088 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $43,572.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Nebraska Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 25% larger than aid received by Nebraska Wesleyan University students ($41,092 vs. $32,863).

Cornell College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University and Cornell College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 40 points higher than at Nebraska Wesleyan University (1160).
  • Incoming Cornell College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Nebraska Wesleyan University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Nebraska Wesleyan University 1020/1290.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Nebraska Wesleyan University 22/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Nebraska Wesleyan University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska Wesleyan University Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Nebraska Wesleyan University 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University (79.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 16.2% at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Cornell College vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Nebraska Wesleyan 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).

  • Cornell College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Nebraska Wesleyan University's (64%).
  • Graduates from Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More Nebraska Wesleyan 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.