CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA (August 26, 2022) — The internships, networking, and community at Coe College and in Cedar Rapids continue to attract a diverse and motivated group of students. The possibilities are appealing for those who seek not only a rigorous academic experience, but opportunities outside the classroom that will enhance their education and provide a professional head start. The incoming Coe College class of 2026 is the latest to see this great promise.
Traveling from as far as 7,500 miles away, and as near as two miles, Coe welcomes 400 new students and a geographically-diverse class — both domestically and internationally. New students joining the Coe community represent 270 cities, 26 states, and seven countries, with sixty percent of the Class of 2026 enrolling from outside of Iowa. Also, 35 percent of the group comes from underrepresented backgrounds, which is the highest percentage for a single class in the college’s history.
The incoming 374 first-year students comprise the eighth-largest first-year class at Coe. The class also brings the second-largest group of international students in the last fifteen years.
“When you look at Coe's combination of distinctive features, some of which were recently recognized by The Princeton Review, such as the most accessible faculty, there simply is not another college like Coe in Iowa, and only a small number in the country,” said Coe’s Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Institutional Effectiveness Julie Staker (’93).
Kohawks will capitalize on the college’s focus on personal academic preparation and excellence in providing robust professional and extracurricular experiences, such as internships, networking, and athletics. The Princeton Review ranked Coe N° 17 nationally for Best Career Services and N° 20 nationally for Most Accessible Professors, as well as the No. 10 Best School for Internships and N° 20 Best Alumni Network among private schools. Coe is Iowa’s only college or university to be ranked for career services, accessible professors, and alumni network.
More than half of the incoming class is student-athletes, and the academic profile features an average GPA over 3.6 and an average ACT of 25. More than half of the students ranked in the top 30% of their graduating class.
Nearly 100% of reporting graduates find employment, attend graduate school, or engage in a service opportunity within nine months of graduation, consistently, for more than a decade.
“I’m really excited for this class,” said Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission Josh Kite. “The opportunities students will have to work closely with Coe’s excellent faculty and staff to challenge themselves academically and gain professional experience will leave them well prepared for their futures.”
Coe College offers superb academics and exciting co-curricular activities in a thriving urban setting that promotes student growth and success. Established in 1851, Coe has a national reputation for academic excellence enhanced by a student-centered, highly-supportive campus environment. Coe’s vibrant Cedar Rapids location provides an abundance of internships for students and career opportunities for graduates.
