More selective than 54% of Iowa colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
9% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 28% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Cornell College over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
We don't have Cornell College's Common Data Set yet, the college's own report of what it weighs in admissions, early decision and waitlist numbers. Work at Cornell College or have its file? Send it to us.
Cornell College SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Cornell College is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 575 | 655 |
| SAT math | 545 | 630 |
| ACT composite | 23 | 30 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1120 | 1285 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Cornell College admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 80% | 575–655 | 545–630 | 23–30 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 81% | 580–655 | 570–663 | 23–30 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Cornell College compared with other Iowa colleges?
Cornell College has the 14th-lowest acceptance rate of 29 Iowa colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Clarke University | 72% | 56% | $24,479 |
| 11 | Wartburg College | 76% | 64% | $32,908 |
| 12 | Saint Ambrose University | 77% | 61% | $24,691 |
| 13 | Buena Vista University | 78% | 62% | $18,846 |
| 14 | Cornell College | 80% | 62% | $23,634 |
| 15 | St Luke's College | 80% | 100% | $19,820 |
| 16 | Northwestern College | 80% | 66% | $25,907 |
| 17 | Graceland University-Lamoni | 81% | 42% | $18,504 |
| 18 | Mount Mercy University | 83% | 58% | $20,168 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Iowa colleges →
Who enrolls at Cornell College
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Cornell College admissions questions
What is the Cornell College acceptance rate?
Cornell College accepts 80% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 2,490 of 3,087 applicants were admitted.
Does Cornell College require the SAT or ACT?
Cornell College considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 9% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell College?
The middle 50% of Cornell College enrolled first-year students scored 1120–1285 on the SAT and 23–30 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Cornell College?
12% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (298 of 2,490).
Is Cornell College getting harder to get into?
Cornell College accepted 80% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 81% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Cornell College overview