Cornell College vs. MLC

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell College is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (1,094 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Martin Luther College is in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Martin Luther College 10:1.

Cornell College vs. MLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell College or MLC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Martin Luther College than Cornell College ($18,974 vs. $25,220).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 33.3% lower than at Cornell College ($7,900 vs. $11,850).
• Cornell College is 190.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MLC (about $34,540 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.6% higher at Cornell College than at Martin Luther College (about $34,540 more per year; $52,660.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Martin Luther College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 299.9% larger than aid received by Martin Luther College students ($41,092 vs. $10,276).

Cornell College vs. MLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell College or MLC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MLC and Cornell College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell College (1200) is 30 points higher than at MLC (1170).
• Incoming Cornell College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at MLC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 1120/1285; Martin Luther College 1078/1256.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell College 23/30; Martin Luther College 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); MLC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman MLC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Cornell College (3.53).
• MLC has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Cornell College (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 88.3% at MLC.

Cornell College vs. MLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell College and MLC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Cornell College's (70%).
• Graduates from Cornell College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,400 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Martin Luther College graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($23,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, MLC graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($239 vs. $279).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.