Cornell College
#4 Best Biology Colleges in Iowa- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,460 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $23,634 D+
- 38% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 17.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.3 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Biology Colleges in Iowa.
Every $1 spent returns $17.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,539,016.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 31% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Cornell College Matters
Cornell College is a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, IA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,086
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Cornell College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 80% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1120–1285. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $23,634 a year after grants and scholarships — 38% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,460 ten years after enrolling — 31% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 84% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Cornell College has an acceptance rate of 80%, making it accessible to a wide range of students. This means that more students have the opportunity to pursue their education in a supportive environment, fostering personal and academic growth.
The earnings data shows that graduates from Cornell College earn a median salary of $53,460 ten years after graduation. While specific mobility rates are not available, the school’s focus on a comprehensive education in fields like Biology, Business, and Psychology suggests a solid foundation for future success.
Students here can expect a net price of $23,634, with a median debt of $27,000. This financial outlook indicates that while costs are manageable, graduates may carry a reasonable amount of debt. Cornell College is a good fit for students interested in a close-knit community and a strong liberal arts education, especially those who thrive in small classes and value personalized attention.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Cornell College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Cornell College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Cornell College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,234. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- SAT Average
- 1234
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1120–1285
- ACT Range
- 23–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,926
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 3,057
- Admitted
- 2,425
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cornell College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cornell College is $52,660, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,634. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,409 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $52,660
- Out-of-State
- $52,660
- Avg Net Price
- $23,634
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 65%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $16,409
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,513
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,177
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,298
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Cornell College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Cornell College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cornell College earn a median of $53,460, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,299
- 8 Years
- $49,843
- 10 Years
- $53,460
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.51x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (174)
- 67%
- 100% (174)
- 67%
- 100% (174)
- 67%
- 100% (174)
- 67%
How Cornell Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Cornell College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Cornell College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $23,634/year ($94,536 total). Graduates earn $53,460 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,633,552 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,539,016 (17.3× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $94,536
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,633,552
- Net Return
- $1,539,016
- ROI Multiple
- 17.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $23,634
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Cornell College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cornell College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.87%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.87%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 24.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $124,724
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $84,806
- Investment Income
- $-11,858,107
Top Programs
The fields Cornell College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Biology & Biomedical 14% $42,897 early-career
- Business & Marketing 10%
- Education 10% $35,271 early-career
- Psychology 8% $28,558 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 7%
- Engineering 6%
- Social Sciences 6% $38,891 early-career
- English & Literature 5% $27,732 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Cornell College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Cornell College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Mount Vernon, Iowa, Cornell College admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,234. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cornell College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cornell College is $52,660, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $23,634. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $16,409 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Cornell College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cornell College earn a median of $53,460, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Cornell College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cornell College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.87%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Cornell College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cornell College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Cornell College.
- Central CollegePella, IA · Close peer68% grad $54,317 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA · Close peer65% grad $49,802 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Knox CollegeGalesburg, IL · Close peer68% grad $54,820 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer65% grad $55,031 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Concordia University-NebraskaSeward, NE · Close peer64% grad $52,415 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Hanover CollegeHanover, IN · Close peer65% grad $53,957 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Cornell College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cornell College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 13% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note