
Cedar Rapids, IAprivate nonprofitwww.coe.edu/
Coe College is a small, selective liberal arts school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where 64% of applicants get in but nearly all who graduate land jobs or further education. Known for its tight-knit residential community (85% live on campus) and strong outcomes (96% employed/grad school-bound), Coe delivers a classic liberal arts experience with surprising strengths in business, sciences, and a unique aviation management program. The $59K sticker price comes down to ~$21K for most after aid—typical for private colleges that invest heavily in scholarships.
Coe College admits about 64% of applicants—making it 'moderately difficult' to get into, though notably more selective than many regional liberal arts colleges. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 990–1260 on the SAT or 22–27 on the ACT, with an average composite SAT of 1260 (per PrepScholar) or 1170 (per MeetYourClass). Only 8% of students submit SAT scores, suggesting Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies are widely used. The college emphasizes its selective, nationally recognized liberal arts identity, though its 64% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.—consistent across multiple sources—places it firmly in the 'accessible but not open-door' category for private colleges.
Coe offers 60+ majors anchored in the liberal arts, with standouts in business, biology, psychology, and a rare aviation management & flight operations program (paired with a business admin degree). The pre-engineering track leverages Coe’s small-class strengths—students work closely with professors in sciences, a selling point noted by Reddit users. The curriculum is rigorous but supportive, with students praising accessible faculty (one Redditor: 'I know my professors better than peers at big universities').
Life at Coe revolves around its residential campus (85% live on-site), where dorms aim to 'support student success' through community-building. The vibe is active but not overwhelming: Greek life is present (though not dominant), intramural sports and clubs like theater and art history draw crowds, and Cedar Rapids offers low-key urban escapes. Instagram posts from @coe_studentlife highlight wellness initiatives, interfaith programs, and Kohawk pride—typical of a school where 'you won’t remember the homework, but you’ll remember the people.'
Coe’s 96% post-grad success rate (employed or in grad school) outshines its 59% six-year graduation rate, suggesting students who persist land solid outcomes. Alumni earnings data isn’t stellar (typical for liberal arts schools), but the college touts strong regional employer networks. Notably, Pell Grant recipients graduate at 64%—matching the overall rate and signaling decent socioeconomic mobility.
At $58,780 sticker price, Coe is pricey but typical for private colleges—though 79% of students receive aid, slashing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $21,237. First-year packages average $59,523 (scholarships, grants, loans), with $8,597 in loans typical. The Net Price Calculator suggests many pay far less, especially with Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need. (Coe isn’t need-blind but offers substantial scholarships).
Coe punches above its weight with aviation management (rare at liberal arts schools), 96% job/grad school rates, and a tight residential community where professors know students by name. It’s not the fanciest or most selective liberal arts college, but for Midwestern students seeking small classes, strong sciences/business, and a balance of support and independence, Coe delivers—especially with aid bringing costs down to public-university levels.