Cornell College vs Ripon College
Cornell College and Ripon College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions in the Midwest, offer distinct educational experiences. Cornell, nestled in Mount Vernon, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Ripon's selective admissions (65%). While Cornell's student body is slightly larger, both colleges share a commitment to small class sizes, fostering close interactions between students and professors. Ripon's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. In terms of academics, Cornell offers a wider range of majors, including popular choices like biology, business, and psychology, while Ripon excels in the humanities and social sciences. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Cornell's slightly higher at 79% compared to Ripon's 77%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions and determine which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell College |
![]() Ripon College |
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Overview |
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Location | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Ripon, Wisconsin |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | Town: 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% | 72.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.1% | 79.8% |
Application fees | $30 | $30 |
SAT range | 1155 - 1405 | 940 - 1160 |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | 20 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 28.0% | 10.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 58.0% | 62.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,836 | 2,486 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,300 | 1,983 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 366 | 247 |
Yield rate | 15.9% | 12.5% |
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 | $57,200 |
Average net price | $22,667 | $21,734 |
Tuition | $47,100 | $47,800 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,868
Meal plan:
$5,688
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Room/dormitory:
$4,530
Meal plan:
$4,560
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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 $36,789 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,607 |
79.0%
Average amount $5,232 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $9,357 |
16.0%
Average amount $13,915 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,046
Men 52.5% Women 47.5% |
810
Men 50.2% Women 49.8% |
Graduate students |
9
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.0% | 1.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,060 | 952 |
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 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 63.8% | 62.0% |
Dropout rate | 10.9% | 38.0% |
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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Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
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