Cornerstone University
#3 Best Business Colleges in Michigan- Graduation Rate
- 62% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,314 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,301 C-
- 18% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.1 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Business Colleges in Michigan.
Every $1 spent returns $13.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $985,433.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Cornerstone University Matters
Cornerstone University is a private university in Grand Rapids, MI 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,298
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 42
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Health Professions
Why students choose Cornerstone University
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
Competitive — admits about 78% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,301 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,314 ten years after enrolling — 16% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 98% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 1,300 students, Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, caters to those seeking a close-knit academic environment. It’s a solid choice for students interested in programs like Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, Health Professions, and Visual & Performing Arts. The acceptance rate of 78% means it’s accessible for many, making it a good fit for individuals who value community and support in their educational journey.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years out is $47,314. This figure gives us a sense of what you might expect as you enter the workforce. It’s encouraging to see that many graduates find roles in their fields, suggesting that the education received here translates well to career opportunities. Affordability is another aspect to consider, and with a net price of $20,301, Cornerstone positions itself as a reasonable option for those mindful of their financial future.
When it comes to finances, students here tend to graduate with a median debt of $25,000. This is a manageable figure, especially given the earnings potential. With about a third of students receiving Pell Grants, there’s a level of support for those who may need it. Those who thrive at Cornerstone often appreciate a faith-based approach to learning and seek a collaborative atmosphere that fosters both personal and professional growth.
Rankings
- #3 Best Business Colleges in Michigan
- #7 Best Education Colleges in Michigan
- #7 Best Communications Colleges in Michigan
- #13 Best Psychology Colleges in Michigan
- #21 Best Biology Colleges in Michigan
- #22 Best Bachelor's Programs in Michigan
- #22 Best Online Colleges in Michigan
- #23 Best Master's Programs in Michigan
Can I Get In?
How selective Cornerstone University 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 Cornerstone University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornerstone University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 78%
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,119
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.49
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 1,926
- Admitted
- 1,575
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 Cornerstone University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cornerstone University is $23,000, 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 $20,301. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,177 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $23,000
- Out-of-State
- $23,000
- Avg Net Price
- $20,301
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 33%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 52%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,177
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,674
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,872
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,135
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 Cornerstone University — 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 Cornerstone University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cornerstone University earn a median of $47,314, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $42,598
- 8 Years
- $45,964
- 10 Years
- $47,314
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.53x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (156)
- 54%
- 100% (156)
- 54%
- 100% (156)
- 54%
- 100% (156)
- 54%
How Cornerstone 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 Cornerstone University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Cornerstone University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,301/year ($81,204 total). Graduates earn $47,314 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,066,637 in total earnings — a net gain of $985,433 (13.1× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 62% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $81,204
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,066,637
- Net Return
- $985,433
- ROI Multiple
- 13.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,301
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 62%
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 Cornerstone University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cornerstone University 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 0.33%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 4% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.33%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 8.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $114,398
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,041,483
- Investment Income
- $-1,000,144
Top Programs
The fields Cornerstone University 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.
- Business & Marketing 28% $55,755 early-career
- Education 12% $45,495 early-career
- Psychology 10% $38,215 early-career
- Health Professions 9%
- Communications 5% $38,573 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
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 Cornerstone University'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
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Cornerstone University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cornerstone University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 62%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cornerstone University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cornerstone University is $23,000, 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 $20,301. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,177 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Cornerstone University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cornerstone University earn a median of $47,314, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Cornerstone University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cornerstone University 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 0.33%, a more modest figure. Access is narrower: only about 4% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Cornerstone University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cornerstone University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, 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 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Cornerstone University.
- Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA · Close peer65% grad $49,802 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Huntington UniversityHuntington, IN · Close peer66% grad $46,672 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC · Close peer59% grad $48,039 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN · Close peer50% grad $48,382 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Anderson UniversityAnderson, IN · Close peer52% grad $48,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Evangel UniversitySpringfield, MO · Close peer65% grad $46,573 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Cornerstone University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cornerstone University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, 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 12% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note