Cornell's tuition & fees has increased from $38,700 (2015) to $52,660 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 36.07% over the past 10 years.
Cornell's tuition increase rate is lower than the Iowa's average increase rate of 57.31%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 32.40% from 2015 ($52,153).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, Cornell's COA is $69,050, which is increased by 4.07% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to Cornell's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 36.07% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $51,970. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Cornell College over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $1,320, and it has increased 13.40% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
| 2015-16 | $1,164 | - |
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| 2016-17 | $1,164 | |
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| 2017-18 | $1,339 | 15.03% |
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| 2018-19 | $1,323 | -1.19% |
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| 2019-20 | $1,200 | -9.30% |
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| 2020-21 | $1,200 | |
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| 2021-22 | $1,200 | |
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| 2022-23 | $1,200 | |
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| 2023-24 | $1,200 | |
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| 2024-25 | $1,320 | 10.00% |
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Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 26.43% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 26.43% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Cornell College.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
| 2015-16 | $12,289 | $12,289 | - |
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| 2016-17 | $12,947 | $12,947 | 5.35% |
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| 2017-18 | $13,735 | $13,735 | 6.09% |
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| 2018-19 | $14,759 | $14,759 | 7.46% |
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| 2019-20 | $15,161 | $15,161 | 2.72% |
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| 2020-21 | $13,403 | $13,403 | -11.60% |
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| 2021-22 | $13,809 | $13,809 | 3.03% |
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| 2022-23 | $14,378 | $14,378 | 4.12% |
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| 2023-24 | $14,518 | $14,518 | 0.97% |
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| 2024-25 | $15,070 | $15,070 | 3.80% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Cornell College and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
| Cornell College | $52,660 | $50,634 | 4.00% |
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| Drake University | $51,960 | $49,944 | 4.04% |
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| Upper Iowa University | $19,475 | $19,000 | 2.50% |
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| Maharishi International University | $16,530 | $16,530 | - |
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| Saint Ambrose University | $36,658 | $35,598 | 2.98% |
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| Waldorf University | $25,978 | $25,220 | 3.01% |
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