Cornell College vs. St. Cloud State University

Should I go to Cornell College or Saint Cloud State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cornell College or St. Cloud State University 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Coe College Grinnell Minnesota State University-Mankato University of Minnesota-Duluth Winona State University MSU Moorhead University of St Thomas South Dakota State University Knox College NDSU Drake Minnesota
Cornell College vs. Saint Cloud State University comparison
Cornell College Saint Cloud State University College 3 College 4
Cornell College Saint Cloud State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Cornell College St. Cloud State University
Location Mount Vernon, IA Saint Cloud, MN
Setting Distant Town Small City
Enrollment 1,084 10,514
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #455 #622
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cornellcollege.edu stcloudstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Cornell College St. Cloud State University
Tuition (In State) $49,970 $8,811
Tuition (Out of State) $49,970 $8,811
Room & Board $11,358 $9,630
Avg Net Price $25,850 $14,648
Avg Grant Aid $38,486 $7,348
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 74%

Admission

 Cornell College St. Cloud State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,087 5,026
Admitted 2,490 4,772
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 94.9%
Enrolled % 12% 18.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 18/25
SAT Range 1150/1318 970/1280
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, 2026

Academics

 Cornell College St. Cloud State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)

Outcomes

 Cornell College St. Cloud State University
Graduation Rate 70% 48%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,400 $46,700
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 67%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $232

Diversity

 Cornell College St. Cloud State University
% Men 0% 8%
% Women 0% 12%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 66% 73%
% Black 5% 7%
% Hispanic 13% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 3% 7%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

 Cornell College St. Cloud State University
% In-State 30% 75%
% Out-of-State 67% 11%

Campus

 Cornell College St. Cloud State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Saint Cloud State University is larger than than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (10,514 students vs. 1,084 students)

Cornell College vs. St. Cloud State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or St. Cloud State University?

  • Cornell College is 467.1% more expensive to attend than St. Cloud State University for in-state tuition ($49,970.00 vs. $8,811.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 467.1% higher at Cornell College than Saint Cloud State University ($49,970.00 vs. $8,811.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Cloud State University than Cornell College ($14,648 vs. $25,850)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 17.9% lower than costs at Cornell College ($9,630 vs. $11,358)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cornell College than Saint Cloud State University (100% vs. 74%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 423.8% larger than aid received Saint Cloud State University ($38,486 vs. $7,348)

Cornell College vs. St. Cloud State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cornell College (1177) is 147 points higher than at St. Cloud State University (1030)
  • Incoming Cornell College students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at St. Cloud State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at St. Cloud State University (3.4)
  • St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.9%) than Cornell College (80.7%)

Cornell College vs. St. Cloud State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cornell College or St. Cloud State University? 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 St. Cloud State University and Cornell College.

  • The graduation rate at Cornell College is higher than Saint Cloud State University (70% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Saint Cloud State University earn on average $1,300 more per year than Cornell College graduates after ten years. ($46,700 vs. $45,400)
  • Saint Cloud State University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Cornell College graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • St. Cloud State University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Cornell College graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

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