Cornell College Admission Requirements

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Cornell College Admission Overview

Cornell College admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Cornell College admitted 79.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.53 GPA (A-) and SAT 1120-1285 / ACT 23-30. Cornell College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Cornell College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Cornell College Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

79.9%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Cornell College acceptance rate is 79.9%. Last year, 2,015 of 2,522 applicants were admitted. That is the 15th lowest acceptance rate in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Cornell College and can you get accepted?

Cornell College is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Cornell College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.53. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Cornell College GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.53

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.53

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Cornell College typically have around a 3.53 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Cornell College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #12 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Cornell College freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	19.67%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	20.77%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	18.31%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	16.21%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	12.02%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	13.11%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Cornell College SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1120-1285

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 575
Math 545
Composite 1120

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 655
Math 630
Composite 1285

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Cornell College typically score around a 1200 SAT (middle 50% 1120–1285) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 76th percentile nationally. Cornell College ranks #7 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1120 to 1285

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Cornell College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1200 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Cornell College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1285+	Above 75th	>88%
1200 to 1285	Avg +	80%-88%
1120 to 1200	Avg -	68%-80%
Below 1120	Below mid-50	<68%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Cornell College ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

23-30

Freshmen reporting ACT

17%

25th Percentile Scores

English 21
Math 20
Composite 23

75th Percentile Scores

English 31
Math 28
Composite 30

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Cornell College typically have around a 26 ACT (mid-50 23–30) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 82nd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Cornell College places #3 among colleges in Iowa for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 23 to 30

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Cornell College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 26.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Cornell College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
30+	Above 75th	>89%
26 to 30	Avg +	80%-89%
23 to 26	Avg -	70%-80%
Below 23	Below mid-50	<70%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

76% of Cornell College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Cornell College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	17.06%
Top 25% of class	40%
Top 50% of class	76%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Cornell College chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Cornell College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	1,240	1,205	2,522
Accepted	961	984	2,015
Acceptance Rate	78%	82%	80%
Enrolled	128	146	288
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	13%	15%	14%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Cornell College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Cornell College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Cornell College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Cornell College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Cornell College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 79.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.53 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1120-1285); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025