
600 First Street South West, Mount Vernon, IA 52314-1098, USA


Cornell College supports a diverse athletics program that offers students numerous opportunities to participate in intercollegiate sports. Competing primarily in NCAA Division III, the college is a member of the Iowa Conference, providing a competitive yet balanced environment focused on student-athlete development.
The college fields teams across a variety of men's and women's sports, including basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. This range allows students with different athletic interests and skill levels to find a suitable sport to engage in during their time at Cornell.
Participation is encouraged not only for varsity athletes but also through club and intramural sports, promoting a community atmosphere and physical activity among a broader student population. Facilities for training and competition are maintained to support athlete performance and overall student wellness.
Through its athletics offerings, Cornell emphasizes the synergy between academic commitments and sports participation, fostering an environment where students can excel in both areas without compromise.
Cornell College offers a variety of student groups and associations catering to diverse interests. Among these are PAAC, the Student Council, Lyrically Inclined, Chess and Games, and BACO. These organizations provide opportunities for students to engage socially and develop leadership skills outside the classroom.
Approximately 4.6% of men and 3.9% of women at Cornell College participate in these social organizations, reflecting a moderate level of involvement in campus groups relative to the total student body of 1,030, which includes 566 men and 464 women.
Cornell College enrolls a moderately sized student body, with a total enrollment of 339 students, including 298 freshmen and 41 transfer students. These figures place the college in the lower third percentile compared to other institutions, indicating a relatively small incoming class size.
The age distribution among students reflects a predominantly traditional college-aged population. Most undergraduates fall between the ages of 18 and 21, with 502 students aged 18 to 19 and 488 students aged 20 to 21. Older undergraduates and graduate students are present but in much smaller numbers, with a handful above the age of 22 and only a few graduate students aged between 35 and 49.
Diversity among the student body shows an average representation from various racial and ethnic groups. The largest demographic group is White students, numbering 771, followed by Hispanic students at 111 and African American students at 87. Other groups include Native American students (12), Asian students (33), Pacific Islanders (3), and students identifying with two or more races (10). There is also a small portion of students with unknown racial or ethnic backgrounds (19). These figures suggest a moderately diverse environment, though the levels of representation remain in the lower percentiles nationally.
Cornell College offers a variety of cultural and recreational activities on campus, including opportunities in drama, radio, and chorus. While the campus does not support a band or television station, students interested in performing arts can engage in theater productions and vocal ensembles. Additionally, the college publishes a campus newspaper, providing a platform for student journalism and campus news.
Health and well-being services are available through an on-campus health clinic and psychological counseling, supporting students' physical and mental health needs. However, the campus does not provide legal services, a veterans affairs office, or a women's center.
The student body consists of just over 1,000 enrollees, with a student-faculty ratio of 12: 1, suggesting smaller class sizes and a more personalized academic environment. The college hosts students from 18 different countries, indicating a modest level of cultural diversity. The total full-time staff is relatively small, contributing to an intimate campus atmosphere.
Cornell College offers access to one main library, Cole Library, which serves as the central resource for its students. The institution does not have additional libraries, placing it in the lower range compared to other colleges. Although the number of physical books is relatively modest, with around 121,171 volumes available, the library compensates by providing extensive digital resources.
The digital collection includes nearly 494,000 ebooks and over 344,000 digital subscriptions, placing Cornell College in a competitive position for electronic academic materials. Students benefit from access to 72 databases, supporting a wide array of research needs. The library supports learning and study with dedicated study rooms and staffed service hours totaling 86 hours per week, though it does not offer all-day access.
Physical and digital facilities are both available, and trained library staff ensure that students receive adequate support. Additionally, students can take advantage of established opening hours and access to shared collections beyond the immediate library holdings.
Total enrollment
1087Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
283Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
82 full time, 24 part timeVeterans affair office
NoMain library name
Cole LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
1Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes