Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Cornell College #1324 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $14,725 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 10.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Cornell College #1218 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Cornell College's Azimuth ranking reflects strong outcomes across access, affordability, and return — a combination that delivers meaningful financial results for graduates. The institution's composite ranking sits in the 10.3 percentile, anchored by earnings beyond expectations and affordability for low-income families.
Azimuth ranks Cornell College #1324 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 10.3 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Cornell College is a private baccalaureate college in Mount Vernon, IA, enrolling roughly 1,086 undergraduates. The six-year graduation rate is 61.8%, with a freshman retention rate of 79.5%. Where Cornell College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Cornell College #1218 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 17.7 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $48,353, placing Cornell College in the 9.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $14,725 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Cornell College in the 10.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's concentration in Business and related fields aligns with strong labor-market demand and early-career earnings growth. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Cornell College sits in the 21.6 percentile for access and the 20.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the selective admissions and higher sticker price typical of private liberal arts institutions. Mobility outcomes place the institution in the 46.5 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions. For admitted students, the combination of strong return on investment and residential liberal arts education creates a value proposition anchored in long-term earnings rather than broad access or lowest net price.
Cornell College's published cost of attendance is $66,249. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $16,409, families in the lower-middle range pay around $18,513, middle-income families pay about $20,177, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $22,944, and higher-income families pay around $29,298. Azimuth ranks Cornell College #1139 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Cornell College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families pay. For families evaluating affordability, understanding the difference between published cost and actual net price is essential — net price and sticker price can differ substantially, and Cornell's income-band breakdown above shows how that gap varies by family circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $46,564; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $48,353, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Cornell College is a good fit for students seeking a private liberal arts college experience in IA with a focus on Business and related fields. The college's small size and residential campus offer an intimate learning environment for students who value close faculty interaction and a tight-knit community. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $48,353, placing Cornell College in the 9.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $14,725 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the college in the 10.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college enrolls a moderate share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 32.1% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 19.6% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $29,298, and median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 79.9% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and liberal arts fields over STEM-heavy ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find a supportive environment and solid post-graduation outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Cornell College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Cornell College's published cost of attendance is $66,249. Net price by income band reveals how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $16,409, families in the lower-middle range pay around $18,513, middle-income families pay about $20,177, families in the upper-middle range pay approximately $22,944, and higher-income families pay around $29,298.
Azimuth ranks Cornell College #1139 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Cornell College's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The college participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families pay.
For families evaluating affordability, understanding the difference between published cost and actual net price is essential — [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), and Cornell's income-band breakdown above shows how that gap varies by family circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $46,564; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $48,353, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Cornell College earn median 4-year earnings of $48,353, placing Cornell College in the 9.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $14,725 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Cornell College in the 10.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Cornell College #1218 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Cornell College's concentration in business and professional fields.
Kinesiology is the largest program with 22 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $59,195, performing at 1.1x the national benchmark for the field. Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and The Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology program graduates 20 students with median 4-year earnings of $64,510, while Teacher Education and Engineering round out the top programs.
The Computer Science program graduates 16 students earning median 4-year earnings of $84,938, at 0.8x the national benchmark. This program mix—anchored in Business—drives consistent outcomes across the institution's degree portfolio.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nichols College Similar quality tier (#36062 ranked) | MA | 81% | $58,063 | #36062 | Compare |
Bryn Mawr College Similar quality tier (#36060 ranked) | PA | 29% | $75,217 | #36060 | Compare |
Carroll College Similar quality tier (#36066 ranked) | MT | 71% | $61,772 | #36066 | Compare |
Lancaster Bible College Similar quality tier (#36067 ranked) | PA | 56% | $44,096 | #36067 | Compare |
Campbellsville University Similar quality tier (#36054 ranked) | KY | 80% | $41,583 | #36054 | Compare |
Computer Science
16 graduates
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
20 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
22 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
17 graduates
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
10 graduates
Cornell College's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's liberal arts identity with a vocational orientation. Kinesiology is the largest program with 22 graduates, followed by Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Teacher Education, Engineering, and Computer Science.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 240 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied business and professional fields.
Computer Science leads with median earnings of $84,938 four years after enrollment, followed by Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Molecular Biology at $64,510, Kinesiology at $59,195, Teacher Education at $47,762, and Fine and Studio Arts at $38,299. This concentration in Business — accounting for 9% of degrees — positions graduates for direct entry into stable, professional career pathways where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes.
Cornell College's program portfolio emphasizes applied learning and professional preparation over research-intensive or graduate-school-dependent pathways. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
For students seeking a liberal arts education with clear professional outcomes, this program mix delivers predictable early-career earnings and workforce alignment.
