Cornell College vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Dakota is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (10,619 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 South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

Cornell College vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or USD? 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 South Dakota than Cornell College ($19,133 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 12.6% lower than at Cornell College ($10,356 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 458.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $43,228 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 306.9% higher at Cornell College than at University of South Dakota (about $39,718 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at University of South Dakota (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 630.8% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($41,092 vs. $5,623).

Cornell College vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 20 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Cornell College students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at USD (3.43).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 24.1% at USD.

Cornell College vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and USD? 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 South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD 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.