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Cornell College

Liaison Partner

Mount Vernon , IA

Cornell College, located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a small private liberal arts college known for its distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum. With an enrollment of around 1,000 students, Cornell provides an intimate learning environment where students can engage deeply with their academic pursuits. The college offers 45 majors in various fields, ranging from the sciences to humanities, and provides abundant opportunities for experiential learning through internships, research projects, and off-campus study programs. Cornell College also boasts a diverse and inclusive community, where students from different backgrounds can collaborate and grow together.

At the heart of Cornell College's academic approach is its unique One Course At A Time schedule. This schedule consists of 18-credit semesters, with students focusing exclusively on one subject for three and a half weeks before moving on to the next course. This concentrated format allows students to fully immerse themselves in a subject, fostering deep understanding and creating an intensive learning experience. Professors use this uninterrupted time to facilitate hands-on learning, interactive discussions, and meaningful research, resulting in engaged and active learning environments.

Beyond academics, Cornell College provides a comprehensive support system to help students thrive. The campus offers various resources, including academic support centers, career development services, and health and wellness programs. With more than 80 student organizations, students can get involved in a diverse range of extracurricular activities, from cultural clubs to sports teams. The college also encourages community service and social responsibility through programs like the Civic Engagement Initiative, which promotes civic engagement and community involvement among students.

In summary, Cornell College offers a unique and dynamic educational experience through its One Course At A Time curriculum. This small liberal arts college provides a close-knit community that values academic excellence, experiential learning, and personal growth. With its commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as a range of support services and extracurricular opportunities, Cornell College is dedicated to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success in their chosen fields and active contributors to society.

Located in Mount Vernon, IA, Cornell College is a private comprehensive higher education institution. It has an acceptance rate of 79%. The freshman retention rate at Cornell College is 80% and the six-year graduation rate is 62%.

To find out more about what Cornell College has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.

Quick Facts

1,094

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

$54,056

Tuition

12:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

62%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Here are the most important facts you should know about admission policy and requirements at Cornell College.

According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,015 in 2024. Cornell College has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores if the applicant chooses to submit them.

Test Scores

Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 8% and ACT scores 17%. 8.7% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 4.35% between 1,200 and 1,399, 56.52% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 30.43% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 27.08, 37.5 between 24-29, 35.42 in the range between 18-23, and 2 between 12-17.

The ACT composite average score for all the enrolled students in 2024 was 26 and the average GPA was 3.6. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.

The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 638 and an average SAT Math score of 621.

Average Test Scores

Retention Rate

The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.

As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Cornell College was 80%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.

Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 62%.

Student Body

Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.

Main Student Body

In 2024, the school enrolled 1,094 students.

That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 69. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 1,094, 36 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 38.

Student Population Gender Ratio

With a coeducational student body, the school had 549 male and 464 female full-time students in 2024. 2 full-time graduate men and 5 full-time graduate women attended this school.

Student Population Diversity

Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.

This school had 40 Asian students and 92 Afro-American students in 2024. 125 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 10 identified with more than one race. The school also had 3 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 18 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 21 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some important information on Cornell College costs that most students encounter at this school.

Tuition and Fees

Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition price for this university.

Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $54,056 in 2024. Cornell College is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $720 in 2024.

Books and Supplies

The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial factor. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $720.

Boarding

The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?

In 2024, room and board cost at Cornell College amounted to $12,064 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $5,528, according to the data from 2024. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $6,320.

Tuition $ 54,056
Room and Board $ 12,064
Book and Supplies $ 720
Total Expense $ 66,840

Financial Aid

Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid students could get at Cornell College.

The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 231 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $46,995.

Need-based

Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.

There were 769 students who got need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Cornell College is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 769. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $2,515,725, and state $1,348,067. The students of Cornell College received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $25,377,209, and external in the amount of $596,424.

$33,739

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.

180 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 68 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $12,379,803. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $400,443 USD.

Open Applications

Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.

The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)

Spring 2027

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Fall 2027

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Majors

Faculty

12:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.

According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Cornell College was 12:1: that means 12 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 106 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 45 male and 61 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Cornell College.

Student Population Diversity Graph

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100

Campus Life

Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about campus life at Cornell College.

Student Organizations

Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.

According to the most recent information, there are 36 open-membership organizations at Cornell College. At this school, 8% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 18 for female students. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is BACO, followed by Chess and Games and Lyrically Inclined. Other popular student organizations at this school are Student Council and PAAC.

There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Cornell College publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.

Student Services

At Cornell College, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.

24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Cornell College is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Cornell College.

Career Counselling

At Cornell College, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.

Job Placement

Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.

The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 37,232 USD.

$37,232

Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation

FAQ

Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA.

Cornell College offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.

According to the latest information, the tuition for Cornell College is 54,056 USD a year.

This school uses standardized test scores for admission.

According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Cornell College is 79%.

The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Cornell College is 80%.

Contact Information

Cornell College

600 First Street South West

Mount Vernon , IA

52314-1098

319 895-4000

School Website

Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.

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