DePaul vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

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

DePaul University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; Cornell College 14:1.

DePaul vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or Cornell 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 Cornell College than DePaul ($25,220 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 37.9% lower than at DePaul University ($11,850 vs. $19,095).
• Cornell College is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DePaul (about $6,661 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Cornell College than at DePaul University (about $6,661 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $45,999.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University as at Cornell College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 40.3% larger than aid received by DePaul University students ($41,092 vs. $29,285).

DePaul vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 40 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

DePaul vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and Cornell 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 DePaul University's (66%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, DePaul University graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($23,332 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DePaul graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($241 vs. $279).
• More Cornell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

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.