Cornell College vs Muhlenberg College
Cornell College and Muhlenberg College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornell, nestled in the charming town of Mount Vernon, Iowa, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on personalized learning, while Muhlenberg, located in the vibrant city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, emphasizes experiential learning and global engagement. With acceptance rates of 75% and 65%, respectively, both colleges offer selective admissions. Cornell's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of around 1,200 compared to Muhlenberg's 2,200. While Cornell excels in the social sciences and natural sciences, Muhlenberg shines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Cornell at 78% and Muhlenberg at 83%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional colleges and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell College |
![]() Muhlenberg College |
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Overview |
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Location | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Allentown, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 92.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.1% | 67.8% |
Application fees | $30 | $50 |
SAT range | 1155 - 1405 | 1200 - 1370 |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | 27 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 28.0% | 34.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 58.0% | 12.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,836 | 4,118 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,300 | 2,790 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 366 | 450 |
Yield rate | 15.9% | 16.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $62,735 | $71,880 |
Average net price | $22,667 | $30,920 |
Tuition | $47,100 | $55,095 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,868
Meal plan:
$5,688
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Room/dormitory:
$7,035
Meal plan:
$5,765
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $37,745 |
97.0%
Average amount $37,483 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,607 |
62.0%
Average amount $5,381 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $9,357 |
7.0%
Average amount $24,182 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,046
Men 52.5% Women 47.5% |
2,074
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
Graduate students |
9
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
21
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.0% | 1.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,060 | 1,922 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 63.8% | 82.0% |
Dropout rate | 10.9% | 17.9% |
Transferred out | 25.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Dance (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
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