Cornerstone University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Cornerstone University is a private research university in Grand Rapids, Michigan, enrolling about 1,298 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 77.77% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $47,314 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $23,000
- 2024 Average Net Price: $20,301 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 77.77% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,298 78.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 61.87%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 34.8%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 6.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average ACT Score: 23
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,721
- Applicants (IPEDS): 2,011
- Room & Board: $12,700 annual estimate
Cornerstone University: what the data shows
Common questions about Cornerstone University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Cornerstone University?
Cornerstone University is located in Grand Rapids, MI (ZIP 49525-5897).
NCES locale classification: Suburb.
Is Cornerstone University public or private?
Cornerstone University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Cornerstone University cost?
Published tuition: $23,000.
Average net price after aid: $20,301.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $20,177 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $17,674 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $17,872 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,489 |
| $110,001+ | $23,135 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $92,000.
How hard is it to get into Cornerstone University?
Admission rate: 77.77%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Cornerstone University?
Total enrollment: 1,298 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,721 students.
Graduate enrollment: 341 students.
About 79% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Cornerstone University?
150%-time completion rate: 61.87%.
First-year retention: 78.3%.
What do graduates of Cornerstone University earn?
Median earnings: $42,598 six years after entry; $47,314 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $25,000.
32.76% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Cornerstone University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (51 completions)
- Counseling Psychology (39 completions)
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other (32 completions)
- Psychology, General (28 completions)
- Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other (23 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (22 completions)
- Finance, General (18 completions)
- Bible/Biblical Studies (16 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (16 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (15 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Cornerstone University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 77.77%; completion rate 61.87%; median earnings $47,314 at 10 years; net price $20,301. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$23,000
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Cornerstone University was $23,000.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$20,301
2024 Value
In 2024 Cornerstone University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $20,301.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$81,204 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$20,301 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$92,000 4-Year Tuition
$12,700 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$560 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$36,260 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$145,040 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Cornerstone University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
32.76% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
52.29% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Cornerstone University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Cornerstone University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $24,168 | $24,168 | $18,702 |
| 2014 | $25,112 | $25,112 | $19,570 |
| 2015 | $26,100 | $26,100 | $18,505 |
| 2016 | $26,860 | $26,860 | $19,543 |
| 2017 | $27,520 | $27,520 | $20,415 |
| 2018 | $24,500 | $24,500 | $20,554 |
| 2019 | $25,360 | $25,360 | $20,740 |
| 2020 | $26,250 | $26,250 | $20,397 |
| 2021 | $27,040 | $27,040 | $20,833 |
| 2022 | $27,880 | $27,880 | $20,959 |
| 2023 | $29,100 | $29,100 | $22,384 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
77.77% Acceptance Rate
2,011 Total Applicants
1,472 Students Admitted
305 First-Time Students Enrolled
20.72% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Cornerstone University reported total enrollment of about 1,298 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (70.3%), Race/ethnicity unknown (7.5%), and Black or African American (6.6%). About 32.76% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 34.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
78.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Cornerstone University in 2024 is 1,298 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,721 students. Graduate enrollment is about 341 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
78.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 70.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
55.60% 100% Completion Time
61.87% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 55.60% of students graduating from Cornerstone University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 33% male / 67% female
- Counseling Psychology: 23% male / 77% female
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other: 41% male / 59% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Cornerstone University.
Return on Investment
$25,000 Median Student Debt
$47,314 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
52.84% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
482.66% Return on Investment
5.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Cornerstone University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 64 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 51 completions
2. Counseling Psychology: 39 completions
3. Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other: 32 completions
4. Psychology, General: 28 completions
5. Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other: 23 completions
6. Elementary Education and Teaching: 22 completions
7. Finance, General: 18 completions
8. Bible/Biblical Studies: 16 completions
9. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 16 completions
Most popular programs at Cornerstone University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Cornerstone University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Cornerstone University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,119
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $4,718
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Cornerstone University is a private non-profit institution located in Grand Rapids, MI, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Counseling Psychology, Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other. Enrollment is approximately 1,298 students. Student body composition includes White (70.3%), Race/ethnicity unknown (7.5%), Black or African American (6.6%). The admission rate is 77.77%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 23. The 150%-time completion rate is 61.87%. Approximately 32.76% of students receive Pell Grants. About 34.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-5897
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 64 distinct degree programs, Cornerstone University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cornerstone University located?
Cornerstone University is located in Grand Rapids, MI.
What is Cornerstone University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Cornerstone University is 77.8% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 2,011 applicants and 1,472 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Cornerstone University cost?
Reported tuition is $23,000 and average net price is $20,301 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,700 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Cornerstone University?
Cornerstone University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,721 students, White (70.3%), Race/ethnicity unknown (7.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Cornerstone University?
About 34.8% of students at Cornerstone University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Cornerstone University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Cornerstone University reports midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of Cornerstone University earn?
Median earnings are $42,598 six years after entry and $47,314 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Cornerstone University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 61.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Cornerstone University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $25,000.
Is Cornerstone University public or private?
Cornerstone University is a private nonprofit institution located in Grand Rapids, MI.
Is Cornerstone University an HBCU?
No. Cornerstone University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Cornerstone University a tribal college?
No. Cornerstone University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Michigan college costs
- Michigan colleges by ROI
- Grand Rapids, Michigan city profile
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Michigan
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.