Cornell College vs. Roanoke College

Comparable Facts

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

Roanoke College is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,804 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Roanoke College is in Salem, VA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Roanoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Roanoke College 11:1.

Cornell College vs. Roanoke College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Roanoke 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 Roanoke College ($25,220 vs. $26,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 22.9% lower than at Roanoke College ($11,850 vs. $15,366).
• Cornell College is 38.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Roanoke College (about $14,592 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.3% higher at Cornell College than at Roanoke College (about $14,592 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $38,068.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Roanoke College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 45.8% larger than aid received by Roanoke College students ($41,092 vs. $28,188).

Cornell College vs. Roanoke College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is the same as at Roanoke College (1200).
• Incoming Roanoke College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Roanoke College 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Roanoke College 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Roanoke College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Roanoke College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Roanoke College has a higher acceptance rate (83.1%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 9.7% at Roanoke College.

Cornell College vs. Roanoke College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Roanoke 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 Roanoke College's (69%).
• Graduates from Roanoke College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Roanoke College and Cornell College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Roanoke College and Cornell College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Roanoke College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.