Cornell College
Cornell College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Cornell College at a Glance
Cornell College is a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa, United States. Originally the Iowa Conference Seminary (Methodist), the school was founded in 1853 by George Bryant Bowman. Four years later, in 1857, the name was changed to Cornell College, in honor of iron tycoon William Wesley Cornell.
1853
173 years old
$108M
$108.2 million (2025)
1,033
119
129 acres
Identity
Is Cornell College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Cornell College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,460 — 1% below average — while paying $23,634/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 51% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Cornell College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Cornell College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in IA
Ranked #45 of 136 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #5 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #6 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | 52 | $18,327 | $56,405 |
| #45 | Cornell College | 38 | $23,634 | $53,460 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Cornell College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in IA.
Best Programs at Cornell College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Cornell College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,634/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Mount Vernon, IA
- Student Body
- 1,086 students
- Admission Rate
- 80%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,634
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,460
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000