Fast Facts
Cornell College is a nationally acclaimed private liberal arts college in scenic Mount Vernon, Iowa. Founded in 1853, the college operates on a distinctive One-Course-At-A-Time academic structure that allows students to devote themselves to just one academic discipline during each of nine blocks.
Reputation
Cornell College was recently featured in The New York Times as one of 20 "stealth powerhouse" colleges, and as one of 40 Colleges that Change Lives by Loren Pope. Cornell is one of only 270 colleges in the United States to host an active chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest scholastic honorary society. The Princeton Review also lists Cornell College among the nation's top colleges. More about our rankings...
The college is located on a wooded, 129-acre hilltop in Mount Vernon, Iowa, a charming town in the heart of Iowa's thriving Cultural Corridor. Cornell's was the first college campus to be listed entirely on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus is less than 20 minutes from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and four hours from Chicago.
Academic Structure
Under the unique One-Course-At-A-Time system, Cornell students immerse themselves in just one academic discipline per three-and-a-half-week course term. Each term, students choose from about 60 course offerings, ranging from on-campus classes to off-site internships and international study trips.
Programs of Study
The college offers more than 40 academic majors and pre-professional programs. Students also may design their own major.
Faculty
Cornell professors are accomplished researchers, scholars, and above all, mentors. Ninety-seven percent of the college's tenure-track faculty hold the highest degree in their field. The faculty-student ratio is 1:11, and many students work closely with faculty members on research or other projects.
Students
Cornell's student body is comprised of nearly 1,200 men and women from more than 46 states and 21 nations. Eighty-eight percent of students live on campus. The graduation rate at Cornell is exceptionally high; approximately 92 percent of the Class of 2006 graduated in four years or less. More about our student body...
Class Size
The average class has 17 students, though many upper-level courses are significantly smaller. Most classes are capped at 25 students.
Facilities
While the entire campus is listed on the National Historic Register, Cornell's facilities range from conveniently functional to cutting edge. Science facilities include a cadaver lab, a geographic information systems lab, and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. A new theater boasts the most current production technology. And the campus is fully wired, with Internet access from every residence hall room and dozens of "smart" classrooms.
Affiliation
Cornell is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, but the college welcomes people from all religious traditions and from all non-religious perspectives. Cornell values spiritual diversity as an integral component of preparing students for global citizenship
Campus Life
Life at Cornell is active and diverse. Students participate in more than 100 clubs, organizations, and special-interest groups ranging from the Film Club to the Mountaineering Club. About one-third of students join non-national Greek groups. Housing options include first-year halls, Living & Learning communities, and suite-style halls.
Athletics
Cornell competes in 19 sports as part of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference of NCAA Division III. In the past three years, Cornell students have been named to four Academic All-America teams and 19 Academic All-District teams, and Cornell ranks among the top 15 Division III schools for the number of Postgraduate Scholars, a scholarship for academic and athletic achievement. Students also participate in nearly 40 intramural sports.
Admission
Admission to Cornell is selective and based on academic ability and preparedness, personal character, and meaningful extracurricular involvement. Application deadlines are November 1 for Early Decision, December 1 for Early Action, February 1 for priority scholarship consideration, and March 1 for regular decision.
Costs & Financial Aid
Cornell is committed to helping you afford a great education. Each year, qualified students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and jobs. Tuition, fees, room, and board charges for 2006-2007 total $31,460.
