Notre Dame vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, IN with Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Notre Dame is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Cornell College 14:1.

Notre Dame vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame ($25,220 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 33.8% lower than at University of Notre Dame ($11,850 vs. $17,900).
• University of Notre Dame is 23.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell College (about $12,365 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Notre Dame than at Cornell College (about $12,365 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $52,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College than at University of Notre Dame (100% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Notre Dame students is 31.3% larger than aid received by Cornell College students ($53,971 vs. $41,092).

Notre Dame vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Notre Dame (1510) is 310 points higher than at Cornell College (1200).
• Incoming Notre Dame students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 1455/1560; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Notre Dame students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Cornell College has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Notre Dame (11.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

Notre Dame vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame 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).

• University of Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $44,400 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Notre Dame graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Notre Dame graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.