Principia College vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell College is larger than Principia College based on total student enrollment (1,094 students vs. 339 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; Cornell College 14:1.

Principia College vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia College 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 Principia College than Cornell College ($18,248 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 14.8% lower than at Principia College ($11,850 vs. $13,910).
• Cornell College is 51.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Principia College (about $17,980 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.8% higher at Cornell College than at Principia College (about $17,980 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $34,680.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at Principia College (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 35.2% larger than aid received by Principia College students ($41,092 vs. $30,402).

Principia College vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 50 points higher than at Principia College (1150).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Principia College 1040/1250; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Principia College 19/23; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Cornell College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia College and Cornell College? 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.

• Cornell College's six-year graduation rate is 70%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Principia College.
• Graduates from Cornell College have median earnings of about $45,400 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Principia College.

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.