Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Mount Vernon, Iowa |
| Online | cornellcollege.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Cornell College occupies a hilltop campus in Mount Vernon, Iowa, located 20 miles east of Cedar Rapids and four hours west of Chicago. The college's 129-acre campus features historic buildings constructed from local limestone, with most structures centered around a pedestrian mall designated as a National Historic District. Founded in 1853 by Methodist settlers, Cornell operates on a distinctive "One Course at a Time" block plan, where students take a single subject intensively for three-and-a-half weeks. While offering a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum, the college maintains strong programs in the sciences, economics and business, and theater. Students are required to live on campus for their first three years, housed primarily in traditional residence halls and suite-style buildings, with some restored 19th-century homes serving as themed housing options.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Cornell College is rated within the top 43% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Cornell College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#455 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#319 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#10 in Best Colleges in Iowa
#8 in Best Private Colleges in Iowa
#266 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Value Colleges in Iowa
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1150/1318 |
| ACT | 23/30 |
| GPA | 3.53 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Other Fees | $664 |
| Room and Board | $11,358 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,160 |
| Total One Year Cost | $66,352 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 16% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 12% |
| Biology | 11% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| English and Literature | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Cornell College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153162 IPEDS survey data for Cornell College.
Current students may use the Cornell College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025