Cornell College vs. PLU

Should I go to Cornell College or Pacific Lutheran University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cornell College or PLU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Cornell College vs. Pacific Lutheran University comparison
Cornell College Pacific Lutheran University College 3 College 4
Cornell College Pacific Lutheran University
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Overview

Cornell College PLU
Location Mount Vernon, IA Tacoma, WA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,073 2,633
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #424 #311
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Evangelical Lutheran Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cornellcollege.edu plu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cornell College PLU
Tuition (In State) $48,514 $49,472
Tuition (Out of State) $48,514 $49,472
Room & Board $10,872 $11,826
Avg Net Price $25,686 $24,825
Avg Grant Aid $38,069 $36,435
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 99%

Admission

Cornell College PLU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,057 3,334
Admitted 2,425 2,964
Acceptance Rate 79.3% 88.9%
Enrolled % 13.6% 17.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.71
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 27/30
SAT Range 1170/1380 1253/1423
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Cornell College PLU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Education (6%)

Outcomes

Cornell College PLU
Graduation Rate 70% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,400 $52,300
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,800
Median Loan Payment $279 $266

Diversity

Cornell College PLU
% Men 52% 36%
% Women 48% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 66% 68%
% Black 5% 3%
% Hispanic 13% 8%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Cornell College PLU
% In-State 30% 74%
% Out-of-State 67% 22%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (2,633 students vs. 1,073 students)

Cornell College vs. PLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or PLU?

  • Pacific Lutheran University is 2% more expensive to attend than Cornell College for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $48,514.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2% higher at PLU than Cornell College ($49,472.00 vs. $48,514.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Lutheran University than Cornell College ($24,825 vs. $25,686)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 8.8% lower than costs at Pacific Lutheran University ($10,872 vs. $11,826)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cornell College than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 4.5% larger than aid received Pacific Lutheran University ($38,069 vs. $36,435)

Cornell College vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Cornell College .

  • The average SAT score at Cornell College (1177) is 60 points higher than at PLU (1117)
  • Incoming Cornell College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at PLU (25)
  • Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Cornell College (3.53)
  • PLU has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Cornell College (79.3%)

Cornell College vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cornell College or PLU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PLU and Cornell College.

  • The graduation rate at Cornell College is higher than Pacific Lutheran University (70% vs. 66%)
  • Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $6,900 more per year than Cornell College graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $45,400)
  • Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Cornell College graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
  • PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Cornell College graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
  • More PLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/