Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
SPU Coe College Grinnell UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University Knox College Gonzaga Saint Martin's University Drake University of Puget Sound Beloit College| Cornell College | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
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 |
|
|
||
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/