Skip to content

Cornell College vs Saint Ambrose University

Cornell College is a private college in Mount Vernon, IA. Saint Ambrose University is a private university in Davenport, IA. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants and Cornell College about 80%, making Saint Ambrose University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $23,634 a year at Cornell College after aid, and about $24,691 at Saint Ambrose University. About 67% of students graduate at Cornell College, compared with 62% at Saint Ambrose University. Ten years after enrolling, Saint Ambrose University alumni earn a median of about $59,531, against $53,460 for Cornell College.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA · Private

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA · Private
At a glance
Type
Private
Private
Location
Mount Vernon, IA
Davenport, IA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
1,086
1,916
Acceptance rate
80%
77%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–3.94
3.34–3.84
SAT (middle 50%)
1120–1285
930–1170
ACT (middle 50%)
23–30
20–25
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$23,634
$24,691
Full cost / yr
$66,249
$51,141
In-state tuition
$52,660
$36,658
Out-of-state tuition
$52,660
$36,658
Application fee
$0
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,409
$22,037
$30k - $48k
$18,513
$21,729
$48k - $75k
$20,177
$22,408
$75k - $110k
$22,944
$24,776
Over $110k
$29,298
$27,807
Outcomes
Graduation rate
67%
62%
Freshman retention
80%
76%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$39,299
$51,616
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,460
$59,531
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
$25,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
32%
32%
First-generation students
20%
28%
International students
3%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Mar 1
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Cornell College or Saint Ambrose University harder to get into?
Saint Ambrose University is harder to get into. It admits about 77% of applicants, compared with 80% at Cornell College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Cornell College or Saint Ambrose University?
Cornell College is cheaper on average. Students pay about $23,634 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $24,691 at Saint Ambrose University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Cornell College and Saint Ambrose University?
Before aid, Saint Ambrose University costs about $51,141 a year and Cornell College about $66,249. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Cornell College or Saint Ambrose University?
Cornell College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $16,409 there, against about $22,037 at Saint Ambrose University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Cornell College or Saint Ambrose University?
Saint Ambrose University is the larger of the two, with about 1,916 undergraduates against 1,086 at Cornell College.
Does Cornell College or Saint Ambrose University have a better graduation rate?
Cornell College has the higher graduation rate, at about 67% against 62% at Saint Ambrose University.
Do graduates of Cornell College or Saint Ambrose University earn more?
Saint Ambrose University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $59,531 ten years after enrolling, against about $53,460 for Cornell College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Cornell College and Saint Ambrose University require SAT or ACT scores?
Cornell College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Saint Ambrose University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do Cornell College and Saint Ambrose University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1120–1285 at Cornell College and 930–1170 at Saint Ambrose University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school