Cornell College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northwestern St Paul is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (3,234 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

Cornell College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul ($25,220 vs. $29,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 2.7% lower than at Cornell College ($11,534 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 38.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Northwestern-St Paul (about $14,740 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.9% higher at Cornell College than at University of Northwestern St Paul (about $14,740 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $37,920.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at University of Northwestern St Paul (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 85.7% larger than aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students ($41,092 vs. $22,132).

Cornell College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 130 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at University of Northwestern-St Paul).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Northwestern-St Paul students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

Cornell College vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northwestern St Paul graduates have a $4,930 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($22,070 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($228 vs. $279).
• More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.