Cornell College vs. Northwestern College

Cornell College and Northwestern College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Cornell College
Northwestern College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell College (79.9% admitted vs 80.4%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $25,220 at Cornell College vs $26,347 at Northwestern College. Cornell College in-state tuition is about $15,950 more per year.
  • Graduation: Cornell College 70% vs Northwestern College 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cornell College $45,400 vs Northwestern College $38,400 (median).
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Key differences

Cornell College Northwestern College
Acceptance rate
Cornell College more selective
Cornell College79.9%
Northwestern College80.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell College higher
Cornell College1120-1285
Northwestern College940-1240
Average net price
About even
Cornell College$25,220
Northwestern College$26,347
In-state tuition
Northwestern College $15,950 less
Cornell College$52,660
Northwestern College$36,710
Out-of-state tuition
Northwestern College $15,950 less
Cornell College$52,660
Northwestern College$36,710
Graduation rate
Cornell College +4 pts
Cornell College70%
Northwestern College66%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell College +$7,000
Cornell College$45,400
Northwestern College$38,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cornell College 2,522
  • Northwestern College 1,497
  • Admitted
  • Cornell College 2,015
  • Northwestern College 1,203
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cornell College 79.9%
  • Northwestern College 80.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cornell College 14.3%
  • Northwestern College 27.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cornell College 1200
  • Northwestern College 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cornell College 26
  • Northwestern College 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cornell College 3.53
  • Northwestern College 3.57
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cornell College A-
  • Northwestern College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cornell College Challenging
  • Northwestern College Average
  • Applicant competition
  • Cornell College
  • Northwestern College
  • SAT range
  • Cornell College 1120-1285
  • Northwestern College 940-1240
  • ACT range
  • Cornell College 23-30
  • Northwestern College 20-27
  • Submit test scores
  • Cornell College Test optional
  • Northwestern College Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Cornell College
  • Northwestern College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cornell College $52,660
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cornell College $52,660
  • Northwestern College $36,710
  • Room & board
  • Cornell College $11,850
  • Northwestern College $10,900
  • Average net price
  • Cornell College $25,220
  • Northwestern College $26,347
  • Average grant aid
  • Cornell College $41,092
  • Northwestern College $23,537
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cornell College 100%
  • Northwestern College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cornell College 70%
  • Northwestern College 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cornell College $45,400
  • Northwestern College $38,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cornell College 74%
  • Northwestern College 85%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cornell College $27,000
  • Northwestern College $25,092
  • Median loan payment
  • Cornell College $279
  • Northwestern College $259
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cornell College 14:1
  • Northwestern College 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cornell College
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
  • Northwestern College
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (15%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA
  • Northwestern College Orange City, IA
  • Setting
  • Cornell College Distant Town
  • Northwestern College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Cornell College 1,094
  • Northwestern College 1,705
  • Type
  • Cornell College Private 4 Year
  • Northwestern College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cornell College #483
  • Northwestern College #633

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell College in Mount Vernon, IA with Northwestern College in Orange City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern College is larger than Cornell College based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 1,094 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cornell College is located in Mount Vernon, IA (Distant Town setting); Northwestern College is in Orange City, IA (Distant Town setting).
  • Cornell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell College 14:1; Northwestern College 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 8% lower than at Cornell College ($10,900 vs. $11,850).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 43.4% higher at Cornell College than at Northwestern College (about $15,950 more per year; $52,660 vs. $36,710).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Cornell College as at Northwestern College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell College students is 74.6% larger than aid received by Northwestern College students ($41,092 vs. $23,537).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Cornell College than at Northwestern College (26 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Cornell College, test-free at Northwestern College.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Northwestern College average a 3.57 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Cornell College (3.53).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Cornell College vs. 27.2% at Northwestern College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have a $1,908 lower median loan debt than Cornell College graduates ($25,092 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell College graduates ($259 vs. $279).
  • More Northwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell College students, three years after graduation (85% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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