Cornell College provides meaningful support for student success, particularly for low-income students who achieve earnings in the top third nationally compared with peers at similar institutions.
The college's distinctive one-course-at-a-time format and small size create an environment where students receive exceptional individual attention and graduate at strong rates.
Cornell College is a small private liberal arts institution in Mount Vernon, Iowa, known for its distinctive one-course-at-a-time academic calendar. With fewer than 1,000 students, the college provides an intimate educational environment where students take just one class for three and a half weeks before moving to the next, allowing for deep focus and experiential learning opportunities. Nearly 29% of students receive Pell Grants, and about 20% are first-generation college students, reflecting the college's commitment to access within the private liberal arts sector.
Graduates earn a median of $53,460 ten years after enrollment, placing Cornell College around the middle of the national distribution for long-term earnings. While earnings outcomes are moderate compared to larger research universities, the college's 72% six-year graduation rate demonstrates strong academic support and student success. The institution's small size and personalized approach create an environment where students receive significant individual attention from faculty and staff.
As a Selective Achiever in terms of mobility, Cornell College combines moderate access with solid outcomes for the students it serves. The college's liberal arts focus prepares graduates for diverse career paths, though earnings tend to be more modest than those seen at institutions with strong pre-professional or STEM concentrations. For families seeking a traditional liberal arts experience with strong student support, Cornell College offers a distinctive educational model in a close-knit community setting.
Cornell College's program offerings reflect its liberal arts mission, with Psychology and Adult and Continuing Education representing some of the most substantial academic areas. Psychology, with 25 graduates, leads to early-career earnings around $24,035, typical for graduates entering counseling, social services, or pursuing graduate study. Adult and Continuing Education, also graduating 25 students, shows slightly higher early earnings at approximately $29,685, often leading to careers in educational administration, corporate training, or community development.
The college's small scale means that most academic programs graduate relatively few students each year, creating intimate learning environments but limiting the breadth of specialized offerings found at larger institutions. This concentrated approach allows for close faculty-student relationships and personalized academic experiences, though it also means fewer connections to high-earning industries like technology, finance, or engineering that drive outcomes at research universities.
Cornell College's distinctive one-course-at-a-time block system enables students to pursue intensive internships, research projects, and off-campus experiences that enhance their academic preparation. While this may not translate directly into higher starting salaries, it provides graduates with practical experience and professional networks that support long-term career development across diverse fields.
Cornell College graduates achieve moderate long-term earnings that reflect the institution's liberal arts mission and small scale. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $53,460, which places the college around the national average for all institutions. While these earnings are solid, they tend to be more modest than those seen at larger universities with extensive STEM or business programs, reflecting the career paths typically associated with liberal arts education.
The college's program offerings center on traditional liberal arts disciplines, with Psychology and Adult and Continuing Education representing some of the most popular fields. Psychology graduates, who make up one of the larger cohorts with 25 students, earn around $24,035 in early career, while Adult and Continuing Education majors see early earnings of approximately $29,685. These figures reflect the service-oriented and education-focused career paths that many Cornell College graduates pursue, which often provide meaningful work but more moderate initial compensation.
The college's distinctive one-course-at-a-time block system allows students to pursue internships, research, and experiential learning opportunities that can enhance career preparation. However, the small scale means fewer alumni networks in major metropolitan areas and limited connections to high-paying industries like technology or finance. For students prioritizing personal growth, close faculty relationships, and a unique academic experience over maximum earnings potential, Cornell College delivers on its educational mission while providing graduates with solid foundational skills for diverse career paths.
Cornell College's affordability varies significantly by family income, with the institution providing substantial financial aid to make attendance possible for lower-income students. Low-income families pay an average net price of $18,285 annually, which represents meaningful affordability for a private liberal arts college. Middle-income families see net prices around $22,174, while higher-income families pay approximately $30,897, reflecting the college's commitment to need-based aid while maintaining revenue from families with greater ability to pay.
The college's financial aid approach helps make private education accessible, though families should expect to take on some debt to cover costs. Federal student loan debt averages $27,000 for graduates, a manageable level given typical liberal arts career trajectories, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages about $26,407 for families who choose this option. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully despite the moderate earnings typical of liberal arts careers.
What makes Cornell College's pricing sustainable is the combination of strong graduation rates and reasonable debt levels. With a 72% six-year completion rate, most students who enroll do finish their degrees, avoiding the financial burden of college debt without the credential. The college's small size and personalized attention help students stay on track academically, while the financial aid office works closely with families to structure affordable payment plans that align with their circumstances.
Cornell College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
