Luther College vs Cornell College
Luther College and Cornell College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Luther, rooted in the Lutheran tradition, boasts a 98% acceptance rate, while Cornell, known for its rigorous academics, has a more selective 70% acceptance rate. Luther's student body is predominantly White (88%) and female (58%), while Cornell's student body is more diverse, with a larger male population (53%) and a higher percentage of students of color (28%). Both colleges excel in preparing students for postgraduate success, with Luther boasting a 94% graduation rate and Cornell achieving a 92% graduation rate. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two exceptional institutions. Explore the table to discover which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell College |
![]() Luther College |
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Overview |
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Location | Mount Vernon, Iowa | Decorah, Iowa |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Evangelical |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.1% | 76.1% |
Application fees | $30 | |
SAT range | 1155 - 1405 | 1088 - 1318 |
ACT range | 24 - 30 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 28.0% | 8.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 58.0% | 37.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,836 | 2,495 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,300 | 1,898 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 366 | 444 |
Yield rate | 15.9% | 23.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | 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 | $61,175 |
Average net price | $22,667 | $25,929 |
Tuition | $47,100 | $46,130 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,868
Meal plan:
$5,688
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Room/dormitory:
$4,870
Meal plan:
$5,490
|
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 $34,281 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,607 |
69.0%
Average amount $5,292 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $9,357 |
13.0%
Average amount $13,652 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,046
Men 52.5% Women 47.5% |
1,744
Men 43.4% Women 56.6% |
Graduate students |
9
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 70.5% |
International students | 3.0% | 9.9% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 1,060 | 2,156 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Minnesota Iowa Wisconsin Illinois California |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 11:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 63.8% | 72.5% |
Dropout rate | 10.9% | 27.4% |
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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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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