Cornell College vs Wells College
Cornell College and Wells College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornell, located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Wells' (65%) in Aurora, New York. Cornell's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of around 1,200 students, while Wells has a more intimate community of approximately 500 undergraduates. While both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, Cornell is known for its strengths in the natural sciences, while Wells excels in the social sciences and humanities. With graduation rates of 70% and 68% respectively, both institutions are committed to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these colleges' unique offerings and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell College |
![]() Wells College |
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Overview |
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Location | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Aurora, New York |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | Rural: Distant |
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 |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 46.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.1% | 68.3% |
Application fees | $30 | |
SAT range | 1155 - 1405 | N/A |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 28.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 58.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,836 | 2,167 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,300 | 1,480 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 366 | 140 |
Yield rate | 15.9% | 9.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not 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 | $49,100 |
Average net price | $22,667 | $19,963 |
Tuition | $47,100 | $30,950 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,868
Meal plan:
$5,688
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Room/dormitory:
$11,800
Meal plan:
$3,000
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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 |
100.0%
Average amount $27,321 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,607 |
83.0%
Average amount $5,847 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $9,357 |
19.0%
Average amount $13,131 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,046
Men 52.5% Women 47.5% |
342
Men 39.5% Women 60.5% |
Graduate students |
9
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.0% | 1.2% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | Rural: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,060 | 442 |
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% | 55.0% |
Dropout rate | 10.9% | 45.0% |
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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Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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