Your chances of getting into Cornell College
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Cornell College is 79.3%. Its admission rate is the 15th lowest in Iowa.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Cornell College and can you get accepted?
Cornell College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,425 out of the 3,057 who applied were admitted.
Cornell College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.53. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Cornell College?
79% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to Cornell College you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.53 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1280 on the SAT
- Score 26 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top half of your high school class
Cornell College GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into Cornell College?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Cornell College are to have around a 3.53 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.
If your high school grades are above the average 3.53 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Cornell College accepts 79% of applicants.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Cornell College is 3.53 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #12 in Iowa for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Cornell College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
Cornell College SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Cornell College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 10% of students submitted SAT scores and 26% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 600 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 570 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1170 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 690 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 690 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1380 |
| Average SAT Score | 1280
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Cornell College?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Cornell College is 1280 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1170-1380. Students who get into Cornell College score in the top 29 percent of all SAT test takers.. Cornell College ranks #2 in the state of Iowa and #223 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1280 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Cornell College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1170 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1170, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1060, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
Cornell College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1275, you have around a 79% chance of being admitted. A 1380 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.
Cornell College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 21 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 21 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 23 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 31 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 28 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 30 |
| Average ACT Score | 26
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Cornell College?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Cornell College is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 30. The school ranks #3 in Iowa for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.
26 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Cornell College.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Cornell College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Cornell College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 79% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 89% with a 30 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
76% of Cornell College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top quarter.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 17.06% |
| Top 25% of class | 40% |
| Top 50% of class | 76% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 1,545 | 1,512 | 3,057 |
| Accepted | 1,273 | 1,152 | 2,425 |
| Acceptance Rate | 82% | 76% | 79% |
| Enrolled | 148 | 181 | 329 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 12% | 16% | 14% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Cornell College is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Cornell College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Recommendations | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because Cornell College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.53 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1280 and ACT of 26 will almost guarantee your admission.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Cornell College often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153162 IPEDS survey data for Cornell College.
FAQs
Does Cornell College prefer SAT or ACT?
10% of students submit their SAT scores to Cornell College. 26% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Cornell College?
79% of those who apply are granted admission to Cornell College. Admission competition is and the college has difficult admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Cornell College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1170 and 1380. The average SAT score is 1275. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Cornell College?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 23 and 30. The average ACT score is 26. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.