Cornell College vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell College is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (1,094 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Ripon College 12:1.

Cornell College vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Ripon 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 Ripon College than Cornell College ($23,772 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 8.9% lower than at Cornell College ($10,800 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ripon College (about $760 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Cornell College than at Ripon College (about $760 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $51,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Ripon College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Ripon College students ($41,092 vs. $39,716).

Cornell College vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 70 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Ripon College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

Cornell College vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Ripon 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).

• The graduation rate at Cornell College is the same as at Ripon College (70% vs. 70%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College 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.