Cornell University

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY, USA

As an Ivy League, a research institution, and one of three private land-grant universities in the US, Cornell University admissions are highly competitive. Since Cornell was founded in 1865 in Ithaca, NY, it has been a co-educational, nonsectarian university, expanding to include two satellite medical campuses, one in New York City and the other in Education City, Qatar. The university offers 80 formal major fields, 30 dining facilities that offer kosher, vegan, locavore, halal, and more, as well as botanic gardens and the John Museum of Art.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
0
100
7%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Decision Acceptance is binding so student must attend college if accepted.November 1
Fall Regular DecisionJanuary 2May 1

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
33%
Out-Of-State Students
63%
14%
Submitting ACT
37%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 35
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1487
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
25,898
Total Number of Undergrads
15,735
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
91%
20-39 Students
4%
40-99 Students
3%
100+ Students
1%
0
100
89%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
95%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
9:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$27,522
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$66,014
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$66,014
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$18,554
Books and Supplies
$1354

Aid & Grants

0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
18%
Average Aid Per Year
$54,219
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
18%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$7,395
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$52,108

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
27%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$8,309
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$13,500
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$140

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
46%
54%
Student Organizations
750
Size of Town
Small city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
52%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Big Red
School Colors
carnelian red and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Ivy Group

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
New York
San Francisco
Ithaca
Boston
Washington
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
70%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$101,200

What Students Are Saying

People at Cornell are some of the most passionate, intelligent, interesting people I've ever met. The environment is far more collaborative and engaging than it is competitive or negatively stressful, and the academics are well-balanced with extracurricular and social opportunities. There are a few of the preppy kids, but most are very relaxed and friendly, far from the cliques and drama of high school.
Allison from Deerfield, IL
Cornell University is an unparalleled college, filled with opportunities. Currently, I am in the Arts and Sciences College and though I wish to aspire to be a doctor, I am given the chance to study Latin and Ancient Civilization as a minor and to explore studies that interest me although it's not within my Pre-Med curriculum. Not only is the Arts and Sciences College full of a wide array of studies, the other colleges allow students to range in future careers from hotel administration to agricultural development.
Lisa from Commack, NY
Cornell University has a large campus that feels small and intimate. The resources provided to students are unparalleled, as there are research opportunities and classes that allow students to meet professors who are leaders in their fields of work. I consider myself lucky to call this place home, and I have met and been inspired by people from all over the world who are passionate and hardworking.
Carli from Rochester Hills, MI
Cornell is a wonderful institution with a beautiful campus complete with rivers and waterfalls. The five years I spent there were academically challenging, socially rewarding, and an unforgettable experience. I would not trade my undergraduate career at Cornell for any other institution.
Denzel
Diversity is on grand display and you will meet people from all over the world. While eavesdropping I could hear conversations ranging from the team's hockey score and where to eat, to dark matter and theoretical physics. People are super smart but know how to relax and have fun. Everyone from all walks of life seem to fit in seamlessly.
Madeline from Charlotte, NC