Cornell College vs Sweet Briar College
Cornell College and Sweet Briar College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornell, located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Sweet Briar's selective admissions (58%). Cornell's student body is more diverse, with a larger international student population. Sweet Briar, situated in Sweet Briar, Virginia, excels in sciences, with popular majors in biology, chemistry, and environmental science. Cornell, on the other hand, is known for its strengths in the humanities and social sciences, with popular majors in English, history, and political science. While Cornell has a slightly higher graduation rate (79% vs. 76%), both colleges provide ample opportunities for academic success and personal growth. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell College |
![]() Sweet Briar College |
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Overview |
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Location | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Sweet Briar, Virginia |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | Suburb: 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% | 71.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.1% | 80.0% |
Application fees | $30 | $40 |
SAT range | 1155 - 1405 | 1020 - 1260 |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | 23 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 28.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 58.0% | 14.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,836 | 1,192 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,300 | 954 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 366 | 177 |
Yield rate | 15.9% | 18.6% |
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 | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $62,735 | $34,330 |
Average net price | $22,667 | $22,711 |
Tuition | $47,100 | $22,120 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,868
Meal plan:
$5,688
|
$13,880 |
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 |
93.0%
Average amount $17,220 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,607 |
44.0%
Average amount $4,949 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $9,357 |
2.0%
Average amount $6,248 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,046
Men 52.5% Women 47.5% |
452
Men 0.0% Women 100.0% |
Graduate students |
9
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
2
Men 0.0% Women 100.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.0% | 5.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 1,060 | 561 |
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 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 63.8% | 41.7% |
Dropout rate | 10.9% | 16.7% |
Transferred out | 25.4% | 41.7% |
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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Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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