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Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA·Private·https://www.cornellcollege.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D3Greek LifeGraduate Programs

Cornell College is a small private nonprofit university in Mount Vernon, IA. Approximately 1,086 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 80% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 39/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Cornell College is a small private nonprofit university in Mount Vernon, IA. Approximately 1,086 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 80% acceptance rate. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 39/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

80%
Acceptance Rate
2,522 applications
26
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 23–30
$52,660
2024-25 Tuition
$23,634
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$11,594
Room & Board
20 meals/week
1,086
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
14%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
62%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity80% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

575610655

SAT Math

545590630

Campus Lifestyle

Cornell College is a 1,000–4,999, small-town school with NCAA D3 athletics and a greek life dominant Greek scene. The campus is 51 miles from Ski Snowstar Winter Sports Park.

Athletics

NCAA D3

Midwest

Greek Life

Greek Life Dominant

2% frats · 28% sororities

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Town setting

Weather

Cold Climate

42°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Cornell College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Ski Snowstar Winter Sports Park, 51 miles away with 6 lifts and 28 skiable acres. All are within 61 miles of campus.

28 skiable acres6 lifts
55 skiable acres6 lifts
61 mi away
139 skiable acres10 lifts

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Mount Vernon, IA

Mount Vernon has a cool climate, with winters averaging 21°F in Jan and summers peaking around 74°F in Jul.

21°Jan26°Feb38°Mar51°Apr62°May71°Jun74°Jul72°Aug65°Sep53°Oct39°Nov27°Dec

Station: CEDAR RAPIDS NUMBER 1 · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Cornell College in IA earns a composite safety score of 39/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

39/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety344936
34/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
49/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
36/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$52,660
Fees
$626
Room & Board
$11,594
Total
$64,880
Meal Plan: 20 meals/week
$23,634avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

49 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsBachelor's
24 grads/yr
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
18 grads/yr$59,195
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBachelor's
16 grads/yr$64,510
Computer ScienceBachelor's
15 grads/yr$84,938
Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's
13 grads/yr$38,299

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Bachelor's15 grads$84,938
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Bachelor's16 grads$64,510
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor's18 grads$59,195
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's11 grads$47,762
Fine and Studio Arts
Bachelor's13 grads$38,299
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Bachelor's24 grads
Engineering, General
Bachelor's11 grads
Biology, General
Bachelor's11 grads
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
Bachelor's9 grads
Finance and Financial Management Services
Bachelor's8 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Cornell College located?

Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA. The main campus address is 600 First St. SW, Mount Vernon, IA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Cornell College?

Cornell College has an acceptance rate of 80%, making it accessible. Out of 2,522 applicants, 2,015 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,086 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Cornell College?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Cornell College scored between 23 and 30 on the ACT, with a median of 26. About 17% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Cornell College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Cornell College charges $52,660/year in tuition. Including room and board ($11,594/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $47,726/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,634/year — what students actually pay. Use Cornell College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Cornell College have college sports?

Yes — Cornell College competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Midwest. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Cornell College the right fit for me?

Whether Cornell College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (80% admit rate), avg net price ($23,634/year after aid), campus culture in Mount Vernon, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Cornell College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Cornell College directly for the most current information.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Mount Vernon, IA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Certificates
NCAA
NCAA D3
Conference
Midwest
School Year Weather
Cold · 42°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
39/100
Nearest Airport
Cedar Rapids, IA (CID) · 15 mialso DBQ (49 mi), MLI (58 mi)

Location

Mount Vernon, IA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.