Academic Comparison between Cornell and ISU

Cornell College and Iowa State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cornell is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Mount Vernon, IA and ISU is a four-year, public school located in Ames, IA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Cornell is a private (not-for-profit) and ISU is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Cornell has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,660) than ISU ($28,881).
  • It is harder to admit to Cornell than ISU.
  • ISU has a higher submitted SAT score (1,200) than Cornell (1,200).
  • Cornell has higher submitted ACT score (26) than ISU (24).
  • ISU has more students with 30,380 students while Cornell has 1,094 students.
  • Cornell has a lower number of students per faculty with 14 to 1 while ISU's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • ISU has more full-time faculties with 1,432 faculties while Cornell has 82 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Cornell Collegevs.Iowa State University
Mount Vernon, IowaLocationAmes, Iowa
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$52,6602025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$10,787
Out-Of-State$28,881
99%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$39,564Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,270
79.90 %Acceptance Rates88.66 %
14.29 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)28.84 %
1,200SAT Score1,250
26ACT Score24
62 %Graduation Rate75 %
25 %Transfer-out Rate19 %
80 %Retention Rate88 %
1,094Student Population30,380
82Number of Faculties1,432
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling serviceOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare