North Central College vs. Cornerstone University

Should I go to North Central College or Cornerstone University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if North Central College or Cornerstone University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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North Central College vs. Cornerstone University comparison
North Central College Cornerstone University College 3 College 4
North Central College Cornerstone University
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Overview

North Central College Cornerstone University
Location Naperville, IL Grand Rapids, MI
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 2,856 1,735
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #349 #859
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northcentralcollege.edu cornerstone.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

North Central College Cornerstone University
Tuition (In State) $44,114 $28,300
Tuition (Out of State) $44,114 $28,300
Room & Board $12,434 $12,200
Avg Net Price $24,190 $23,147
Avg Grant Aid $30,619 $17,372
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

North Central College Cornerstone University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,241 2,011
Admitted 3,056 1,472
Acceptance Rate 58.3% 73.2%
Enrolled % 16.9% 20.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.28
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 23/27 20/25
SAT Range 1065/1280 970/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 15, 2026

Academics

North Central College Cornerstone University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (56%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (3%)

Outcomes

North Central College Cornerstone University
Graduation Rate 64% 43%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $38,800
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $258

Diversity

North Central College Cornerstone University
% Men 4% 8%
% Women 12% 9%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 71% 78%
% Black 4% 13%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

North Central College Cornerstone University
% In-State 79% 80%
% Out-of-State 18% 14%

Campus

North Central College Cornerstone University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Central College is larger than than Cornerstone University based on total student enrollment (2,856 students vs. 1,735 students)

North Central College vs. Cornerstone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or Cornerstone University?

  • North Central College is 55.9% more expensive to attend than Cornerstone University for in-state tuition ($44,114.00 vs. $28,300.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 55.9% higher at North Central College than Cornerstone University ($44,114.00 vs. $28,300.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornerstone University than North Central College ($23,147 vs. $24,190)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornerstone University are 1.9% lower than costs at North Central College ($12,200 vs. $12,434)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at North Central College as Cornerstone University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 76.3% larger than aid received Cornerstone University ($30,619 vs. $17,372)

North Central College vs. Cornerstone University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College or Cornerstone University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Cornerstone University or North Central College .

  • The average SAT score at North Central College (1125) is 92 points higher than at Cornerstone University (1033)
  • Incoming North Central College students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Cornerstone University (22)
  • Accepted freshman North Central College students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Cornerstone University (3.28)
  • Cornerstone University has a higher acceptance rate (73.2%) than North Central College (58.3%)

North Central College vs. Cornerstone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, North Central College or Cornerstone University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Cornerstone University and North Central College.

  • The graduation rate at North Central College is higher than Cornerstone University (64% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from North Central College earn on average $10,100 more per year than Cornerstone University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $38,800)
  • Cornerstone University and North Central College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($25,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Cornerstone University and North Central College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($258 vs. $258)
  • More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornerstone University 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/