Cornell College vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with University of St Thomas in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of St Thomas is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (9,410 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 St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Cornell College vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or University of St Thomas? 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 Cornell College than University of St Thomas ($25,220 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 20.8% lower than at University of St Thomas ($11,850 vs. $14,969).
• University of St Thomas is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $1,738 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at University of St Thomas than at Cornell College (about $1,738 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 15.5% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($41,092 vs. $35,587).

Cornell College vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or University of St Thomas? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of St Thomas and Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 140 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Cornell College 1120/1285; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Cornell College 23/30; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman University of St Thomas students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Cornell College vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and University of St Thomas? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 74%)

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.