Valpo vs. Cornell College

Comparable Facts

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

Valparaiso University is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (2,579 students vs. 1,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valparaiso University is located in Valparaiso, IN (Large Suburban setting); Cornell College is in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Valparaiso University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valparaiso University 10:1; Cornell College 14:1.

Valpo vs. Cornell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Valpo 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 Valparaiso University than Cornell College ($21,766 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell College are 13% lower than at Valparaiso University ($11,850 vs. $13,618).
• Cornell College is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Valpo (about $4,210 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Cornell College than at Valparaiso University (about $4,210 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $48,450.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Valparaiso University as at Cornell College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 9.4% larger than aid received by Valparaiso University students ($41,092 vs. $37,548).

Valpo vs. Cornell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Valpo 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 Valpo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 30 points higher than at Valpo (1170).
• Incoming Valpo students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Cornell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 1060/1280; Cornell College 1120/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valparaiso University 23/31; Cornell College 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Valpo - Test optional; Cornell College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Valpo students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• Valpo has a higher acceptance rate (89.4%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Valpo vs. 14.3% at Cornell College.

Valpo vs. Cornell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Valpo 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).

• Valparaiso University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Valparaiso University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Cornell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $45,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell College and Valpo graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Cornell College and Valpo graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Valpo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.