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How to Get Into Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA · Private nonprofit · 2025-2026 cycle · Verified data

Cornell College Admissions Statistics

80%
Acceptance Rate
575-655
SAT Reading (mid 50%)
545-630
SAT Math (mid 50%)
23-30
ACT (mid 50%)
1,086
Undergrads
62%
Graduation Rate

How to Actually Get Into Cornell College

The bar here is clear

Cornell College admits most qualified applicants. Clear the academic bar (the ranges below) and your odds are strong. The real questions become fit, cost, and whether it earns its slot on your list, not whether you can get in.

Position your scores against the real bands

The middle 50% of enrolled students sits around 1120-1285 combined SAT or 23-30 ACT. Above the 75th percentile, scores work for you and this can behave like a target. Below the 25th percentile, the rest of your application has to carry the file, treat it as a reach. Since scores are not required (test-optional) here, submit only if you're inside or above the band; a below-band score is information you don't have to volunteer.

The bigger picture: no single school decides your outcome, the shape of your whole list does. Read how top counselors build a college list before you finalize where Cornell College fits.

Cornell College Application Deadlines (2025-2026)

Round Deadline
Regular Decision (RD) February 1, 2026

Deadlines verified from official sources for the 2025-2026 cycle. Rounds change year to year, always confirm on the school's site before submitting.

Application Requirements & Costs

Application platform Common App
Application fee $0
Test scores Not required (test-optional)
Writing supplement Not required
Counselor recommendation Not required

Cornell College Cost & Financial Aid

Total cost of attendance (sticker, per year) $66,249
Tuition & fees $52,660
Room & board (on campus) $11,850
Average net price (aid-receiving families) $23,634

What You'd Actually Pay, by Family Income

Average net price per year (after grants and scholarships) for aid-receiving families, from federal College Scorecard data:

Family income Average net price / year
$0-30k $16,409
$30-48k $18,513
$48-75k $20,177
$75-110k $22,944
$110k+ $29,298
32%
Students receiving Pell Grants
65%
Students taking federal loans
80%
Freshman retention rate
14:1
Student-faculty ratio

These are averages, not your number. Get your family's actual price in about 10 minutes:

Use Cornell College's Official Net Price Calculator →

More Cornell College Data, Coming Soon

We're building the deepest per-school database in admissions. Rolling out for Cornell College:

Programs & Majors Soon Every degree program at Cornell College, with outcomes
Transfer Pathways Soon How to transfer into Cornell College, and where transfers come from
Institutional Aid Soon Cornell College's own grants and how they're awarded
Private Scholarships Soon Outside scholarships Cornell College students actually win

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