ic S/general/checkmark circled Thanks for subscribing! Be on the lookout for our next newsletter.
ic S/general/checkmark circled
Saved to My Favorites. View My Favorites
Colleges / Cornell College

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate81%
Acceptance Rate81%

Cornell College Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time Cornell College students was $48,514 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 3%–from $47,100 the previous year. Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Cornell College

Cornell College is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from Iowa as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's criteria for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Iowa colleges

Is Cornell College's Tuition Different for International Students?

Cornell College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or Cornell College-specific aid and scholarships.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Cornell College Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Cornell College.

House and Food Costs at Cornell College

Room and board at Cornell College costs $10,872 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the Cornell College's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who live off campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can pay for a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $5,012.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Cornell College

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation.

A school's location can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area could be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. Cornell Collegeis located in a in Iowa.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


Total Tuition and Expenses at Cornell College


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Cornell College.

How Much Does Cornell College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Cornell College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $48,514
Room and Board $10,872
Board Only $2,930
Other expenses $1,536

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $62,766
Off-Campus $54,824

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at Cornell College


The majority of Cornell College undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2022, 744 of the 1,046 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Cornell College meets 83.9% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $42,356 a year. Around 64% of Cornell College undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Cornell College graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $37,608 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $25,408
Cornell College-Specific Loans $3,280
Private Loans $44,363
Most Common Loans for Cornell College Students
Federal Loans 64%
Institutional Loans 12%
Private loans 17%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Cornell College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Cornell College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, Cornell College awarded 742 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $24.7 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $10.09 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Cornell College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Cornell College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Cornell College was $42,356 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Cornell College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $20,410
Off-Campus $12,468

What will attending Cornell College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Cornell College's net cost calculator on their website.

Cornell College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Cornell College Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About Cornell College


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Cornell College

Cornell College Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$59,482

In State

$59,482

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$47,100
$47,100
Fees
$626
$626
Housing
$10,556
$10,556
Books
$1,200
$1,200

Cornell College Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

71%

Average Financial Aid Package

$40,395

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

1,055

Campus Setting

Acceptance Rate

81%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$47,726

Out-of-State

$47,726

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Unknown
Do You Work at a University?

Claim your page to customize your profile and connect with students!

Claim Free Account
F43DB07C-E631-43A5-9C99-000231808F35
Scholarship Tips

Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!

Find Scholarships
ECE68226-946A-49FB-9EBE-25C918B98643
Need Advice or Have a Question About Cornell College?

Connect with the world's largest college forum for candid, authentic discussion.

Join the Conversation