# Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA. Source page: https://www.dreamschool.co/colleges/cornell-college

Cornell College is a private nonprofit college in Mount Vernon, IA with 1,086 undergraduates. It admits 80% of applicants, and admitted students average 1234 on the SAT. The average net price after aid is $25,297 per year ($18,469 for families earning under $30,000). 60% of students graduate, and graduates earn a median of $57,224 ten years after enrolling.

## Key facts

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Admission rate | 80% (Fall 2024) |
| Testing policy | Test optional (considered if submitted) (Fall 2024) |
| Applicants | 3,087 (Fall 2023) |
| Admitted | 2,490 (Fall 2023) |
| SAT Reading & Writing (middle 50%) | 575–655 (Fall 2024) |
| SAT Math (middle 50%) | 545–630 (Fall 2024) |
| ACT Composite (middle 50%) | 23–30 (Fall 2024) |
| Cost of attendance | $68,934 (2024-25) |
| Average net price | $25,297 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | $18,469 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | $18,144 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | $20,791 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | $23,291 (2024-25) |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | $32,919 (2024-25) |
| Undergraduates | 1,086 (Fall 2024) |
| Graduation rate | 60% (Fall 2019) |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $57,224 (2023) |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 (FY2024) |

## What Cornell College considers in admissions (Fall 2023)

- High school record: Considered
- High school GPA: Required
- College-prep coursework: Considered
- Class rank: Considered
- Essay or personal statement: Required
- Recommendations: Considered
- Demonstrated competencies: Not considered
- Legacy status: Not considered
- Work experience: Not considered
- English proficiency test: Considered

## FAQ

**What is Cornell College's acceptance rate?**

Cornell College admits 80% of applicants, which makes it accessible.

**What SAT score do you need for Cornell College?**

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 575–655 on SAT Reading and Writing and 545–630 on SAT Math; the average total is 1234.

**What ACT score do you need for Cornell College?**

The middle 50% ACT composite range for admitted students is 23–30.

**Is Cornell College test optional?**

Test optional (considered if submitted).

**How many students apply to Cornell College?**

In Fall 2023, 3,087 students applied to Cornell College and 2,490 were admitted; 298 enrolled.

**Does Cornell College consider legacy status?**

No. Cornell College reported that legacy status is not considered in admissions (Fall 2023).

**Does Cornell College require an essay?**

Cornell College reported that an essay or personal statement is required for admission (Fall 2023).

**How much does Cornell College cost?**

The sticker cost of attendance is $68,934 per year, but the average net price after grants and scholarships is $25,297.

**What is Cornell College's graduation rate?**

60% of full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.


## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (Most Recent Institution-Level Data), released 2026-10-15: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- IPEDS Admissions survey (ADM2023): https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/DataFiles.aspx
- IPEDS unit ID 153162. Methodology: https://www.dreamschool.co/methodology