Cornell College vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell College is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (1,094 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Cornell College vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Stephens 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 Stephens College than Cornell College ($23,194 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 11.3% lower than at Stephens College ($11,850 vs. $13,366).
• Cornell College is 86.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $24,360 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.1% higher at Cornell College than at Stephens College (about $24,360 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Stephens College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 76.1% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($41,092 vs. $23,341).

Cornell College vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is the same as at Stephens College (1200).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Cornell College vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Stephens 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 Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephens College and Cornell College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Stephens College and Cornell College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)

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.