Acceptance Rate
64%
Avg. SAT
1290
75th percentile
“Small Iowa liberal arts college where undergrads dive into hands-on biology research and theater amid Cedar Rapids' industrial buzz.”
Cedar Rapids, IA
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Coe College traces its roots to 1851, when Presbyterian ministers founded it as a coeducational institution in frontier Iowa, emphasizing rigorous liberal arts from the start. You'll find a tight-knit community of about 1,400 undergraduates who thrive on personal connections with professors and classmates, drawn to the collaborative spirit rather than cutthroat competition. The campus sits in Cedar Rapids, Iowa's second-largest city, blending quiet residential neighborhoods with manufacturing plants and a growing arts scene, though the Midwest winters bring heavy snow and subzero chills that test your resilience. Students who love small-scale intimacy and Midwest straightforwardness fit right in, while those craving big-city energy or endless major options might feel limited by the modest size and fewer course electives.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Coe's classrooms, expect small seminars where professors know your name and push you to connect ideas across disciplines, especially strong in biology, where students dissect frogs in freshman labs or join faculty on genetic research projects. The theater and business programs stand out too, with acting majors performing in the historic Sinclair Black Box Theatre and future entrepreneurs pitching to real investors through the Catapult incubator. Undergrads snag research gigs early, presenting at national conferences, but popular majors like nursing fill up fast, and the small scale means occasional waitlists for niche electives. Large public universities offer broader resources, yet Coe delivers focused mentorship that public schools rarely match.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,195 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
62%
Black / African American
10%
Hispanic / Latino
12%
Asian
2%
Other / Multi-racial
14%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Cedar Rapids, IA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life revolves around close friendships forged in residence halls, where freshmen bond over late-night study sessions in cozy lounges, and weekends mix intramural sports, a cappella performances, and trips to the nearby Czech Village for kolaches. Traditions like the Vigilance Committee skits poke fun at campus quirks, keeping the vibe light and involved, though the social scene skews low-key without a dominant party culture or Greek system. A typical week juggles classes, club meetings—perhaps Model UN or the hiking group—and volunteer shifts at local food pantries, but the flat Iowa landscape and chilly winds limit outdoor fun from November to March. Housing guarantees spots for freshmen and sophomores, easing the transition, yet off-campus apartments in Cedar Rapids carry a moderate cost of living hike over smaller Iowa towns.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
American Rivers Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$12,451
$30K – $48K
$14,379
$48K – $75K
$16,554
$75K – $110K
$19,558
$110K+
$26,398
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
73%
4 Years Graduation Rate
65%
6 Years Graduation Rate
70%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$57,125
73% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Coe College and return in the fall. 65% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 70% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
65%
4-6 years
5%
Non-grad
30%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$50,314
Acceptance
64%
Undergrads
1,195
4-Year Grad Rate
65%
Endowment
$100M
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-5092
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