Cornell College vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern College is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Cornell College vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Northwestern College? 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 Northwestern College ($25,220 vs. $26,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 8% lower than at Cornell College ($10,900 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern College (about $15,950 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at Cornell College than at Northwestern College (about $15,950 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $36,710.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Northwestern College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 74.6% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($41,092 vs. $23,537).

Cornell College vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 110 points higher than at Northwestern College (1090).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Northwestern College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Northwestern College 940/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Northwestern College 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Northwestern College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Northwestern College has a higher acceptance rate (80.4%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Cornell College vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Northwestern College? 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 Northwestern College's (66%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.