Cornell College vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Cornell College vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or Iowa? 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 University of Iowa than Cornell College ($21,765 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 8.3% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,850 vs. $12,920).
• Cornell College is 366.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $41,377 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.8% higher at Cornell College than at University of Iowa (about $19,289 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 316.5% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($41,092 vs. $9,865).

Cornell College vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 30 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Cornell College vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and Iowa? 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

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.