Cornell College vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (9,278 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 Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

Cornell College vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or UNI? 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 Northern Iowa than Cornell College ($16,437 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 15.7% lower than at Cornell College ($9,986 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 430% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $42,724 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.5% higher at Cornell College than at University of Northern Iowa (about $30,948 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 600.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($41,092 vs. $5,865).

Cornell College vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 50 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Cornell College vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and UNI? 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 University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.