Cornell University
About Cornell University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university in Ithaca, New York. It has both private and public colleges within it, including top-ranked programs in engineering, architecture, hotel administration, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. The campus sits on a hillside above Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region.
Founded
1865
Location
Ithaca, New York
Students
26,660
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
8.8%
Highly selective
Graduation Rate
95.4%
Above national average
Tuition
$69,314
Per year
Avg Net Price
$28,690
After financial aid
SAT Average
1535
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$104,043
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Most Selective
Only 8.8 out of 100 applicants are accepted
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Required
Application Fee
$85
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 2
With a 8.8% acceptance rate and an average SAT of 1535, Cornell University is among the most selective schools in the country. Every part of your application needs to stand out.
SAT Scores
1535/ 1600
ACT Scores
34/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Excellent
95.4% complete their degree within six years
Retention
98.4%
4-Year Grad
88%
6-Year Grad
94%
Teaching Quality
9:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
92.9%
$/Student
$33.4K
Class Size
Small
88% of students graduate on time, and with a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, it's clear students get the personal attention they need to succeed.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$69,314
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$19,428
Books & Supplies
$1,226
Total Cost of Attendance
$88,140
After Financial Aid
$28,690
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$1,776
Receive Grants
18.4%
Take Loans
17.8%
Don't let the $69,314 sticker price scare you. Most students pay around $28,690 after financial aid, a 59% discount. Families earning under $30K pay closer to $1,776.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Cornell University fund their education.
While in School
18.4%
Get Grants
Free money
17.8%
Take Loans
Must repay
$75,110
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$14,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$148/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $14,000, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Cornell University.
Gender
54.6%
Female
45%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
15,995
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
10,665
Graduates
15.4%
First-Gen
19 yrs
Avg Age
0.5%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (55% women, 45% men). 15.4% are first-generation college students. 9.6% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
15,995
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
No
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Breathtaking gorges and natural beauty everywhere
- +Wide range of colleges within one university
- +Ithaca has a progressive, artsy small-town feel
- +Strong farm-to-table food culture on campus
Cons
- -Ithaca winters are long, cold, and gray
- -Isolation from major cities can be tough
- -Hilly campus means lots of uphill walking
- -Academic pressure is notoriously high
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Cornell University fields 21 varsity teams with 1,348 student athletes, about 8% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FCS
Conference
Ivy League
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
21
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
1,348
8% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
55% / 45%
744
Men
604
Women
14
Men's Teams
17
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Cornell Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$104,043
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Computer Science
$153K
507 grads
1yr Earnings
Hospitality Administration/Management
$78K
290 grads
1yr Earnings
Human Resources Management and Services
$73K
273 grads
1yr Earnings
Agricultural Business and Management
$92K
254 grads
1yr Earnings
Biology, General
$35K
254 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer and Information Sciences, General
$104K
206 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $88K six years out, climb to $86K by year eight, and reach $104K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cornell University
What is the acceptance rate at Cornell University?▾
How much does Cornell University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Cornell University?▾
How much do Cornell University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.