Chances of getting into Cornell College
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Very High | |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
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How hard is it to get into Cornell College and can I get accepted? The school has a 62% acceptance rate ranking it #9 in Iowa for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 1,926 out of 3,118 applicants were admitted making Cornell College a moderately competitive school to get into with a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the requirements. Academically, it has very high requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 36 percent. Cornell College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students. Only 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.
Test Optional
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Cornell College. If you submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 43% of students submit SAT scores and 67% submit ACT scores.
Cornell College SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
Applicants Submitting SAT
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 540 |
| SAT Math 25th | 560 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1100 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 675 |
| SAT Math 75th | 670 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1345 |
| Average SAT Score | 1220 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Cornell College?
Cornell College typically prefers applicants to be in the top 41 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1100 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 980. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1220 out of 1600. The school ranks #4 in Iowa for highest average SAT composite score. 43 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1345 and Above | Good | >74% |
| 1222 to 1345 | Avg + | 62%-74% |
| 1100 to 1222 | Avg - | 49%-62% |
| 978 to 1100 | Reach | 36%-49% |
| Less than 978 | Low | <36% |
Cornell College ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
Applicants Submitting ACT
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 22 |
| ACT Math 25th | 22 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 23 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 30 |
| ACT Math 75th | 27 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 29 |
| Average ACT Score | 26 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Cornell College?
Admission data indicates that Cornell College regularly accepts students with ACT's of 23 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 32 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 20 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 26 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 29 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #3 in Iowa for highest average ACT composite score. Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 67 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Cornell College.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 29 and Above | Good | >74% |
| 26 to 29 | Avg + | 62%-74% |
| 23 to 26 | Avg - | 49%-62% |
| 20 to 23 | Reach | 36%-49% |
| Less than 20 | Low | <36% |
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Cornell College GPA
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
Typical High School Grades
What GPA do you need to get into Cornell College?
Applicants require very good grades in high school to get into Cornell College. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Cornell College was 3.53 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #8 in Iowa for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Cornell College accepts 62% of students who apply.
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 37% | Good |
| 3.50 to 3.75 | 21% | Avg + |
| 3.25 to 3.50 | 21% | Avg - |
| 3.00 to 3.25 | 8% | Reach |
| 2.75 to 3.00 | 11% | Reach |
| 2.50 to 2.75 | 2% | Reach |
| 2.25 to 2.50 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.00 to 2.25 | N/A% | Low |
GPA Data Source, Wintergreen Orchard House
Similar Requirements
High School Class Rank
66% of Cornell College freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 38% |
| Top 25% of class | 66% |
| Top 50% of class | 91% |
| Bottom 50% of class | 9% |
| Bottom 25% of class | 2% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 1,709 | 1,409 | 3,118 |
| Accepted | 1,095 | 831 | 1,926 |
| Acceptance Rate | 64% | 59% | 62% |
| Enrolled | 118 | 152 | 270 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 11% | 18% | 14% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Cornell College is $0.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Cornell College and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Considered but not required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Considered but not required |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Recommended |
| Recommendations | Considered but not required |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
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?
43% of students submit their SAT scores to Cornell College. 67% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Cornell College?
62% of those who apply are granted admission to Cornell College. Admission competition is low and the college has very high 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 1100 and 1345. 43% of students submit SAT scores when applying. 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 29. 67% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.