Cornell University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Ithaca, NY

$58,586

Avg tuition

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Discover programs by subject area to find the best college for your future.

Search All Programs

Work here? Claim your school's profile

About Cornell University

School Type: Private

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Military Friendly: YesMilitary-friendly schools are Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, offer the Yellow Ribbon Program, and have a dedicated point of contact to support veterans, military service members, and their families. Explore our college guide for service members and veterans to learn more.

Cornell University is a medium-sized private university located on an urban campus in Ithaca, New York. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,743, and admissions are extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of 11%. The university offers 96 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 95%, and a student-faculty ratio of 9:1. Tuition and fees for students are $58,586.

BestColleges.com

Rankings

Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a highly selective acceptance rate.

This school is very selective about its students. Selective schools welcome 1-14% of all applicants.

11% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

96% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

95% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Considered (not required)

High school transcript Required

High school rank Considered (not required)

Letter of recommendation Required

High school GPA Considered (not required)

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Considered (not required)

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Implied no

Credit for qualified life experience* Implied no

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.

While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 32-35

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1400-1540

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of more than 15,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

24k

Students enrolled

94%

Online student enrollment

9:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

34%

Non-U.S. Citizen

22%

Asian

17%

Hispanic

11%

Unknown

6%

Black

6%

Two or more races

4%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

51%

Socio-economic diversity

15% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Explore Similar Schools

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private · Non-profit

#2 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Biomedical Engineering Programs

View School

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY · Private · Non-profit

View School

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private · Non-profit

#3 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Early Childhood Education Programs 2022

View School

New York University

New York, NY · Private · Non-profit

#1 Ranked in 2022 Best Online Colleges in New York

View School

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY · Private · Non-profit

View School

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private · Non-profit

#1 Ranked in Best Master's in Behavioral Science Programs

View School

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private · Non-profit

#5 Ranked in Best Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Programs of 2022

View School

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private · Non-profit

View School

Brown University

Providence, RI · Private · Non-profit

#1 Ranked in Best Behavioral Science Programs

View School

The New School

New York, NY · Private · Non-profit

#8 Ranked in Best Master's in Game and Media Design Programs

View School

Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

2

Total Online Enrollment

22,293

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

99% On-campus

1% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates X Bold Not offered

Associate X Bold Not offered

Bachelor's X Bold Not offered

Graduate Certificate X Bold Not offered

Master's Check Bold 1% online

Doctorate Check Bold 1% online

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $58,586 $58,586
Graduate $29,500 $29,500

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $990
On-campus room and board $15,756
On-campus other expenses $2,964
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $15,396
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $2,964
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $3,324

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $78,296 $78,296
Off-campus without family $77,936 $77,936
Off-campus with family $62,900 $62,900

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

16%

State Grant Aid

14%

Institution Grant Aid

45%

Pell Grant

15%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $6,737
State Grant Aid $3,432
Institution Grant Aid $46,168
Pell Grant Aid $4,961

Financial Outlook

$15k

Average student debt after graduation

$76k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division I-FCS

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Track Field Outdoor
  • Rowing

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

2

Architecture And Related Services

BA

MA

DOC

3

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

BA

MA

DOC

4

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

5

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

6

Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

7

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

8

Education

BA

MA

DOC

9

Engineering Technologies/Technicians

BA

MA

DOC

10

Engineering

BA

MA

DOC

11

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

12

Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

13

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

14

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

15

History

BA

MA

DOC

16

Legal Professions And Studies

BA

MA

DOC

17

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

18

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

19

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

20

Natural Resources And Conservation

BA

MA

DOC

21

Philosophy And Religious Studies

BA

MA

DOC

22

Physical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

23

Psychology

BA

MA

DOC

24

Public Administration And Social Service Professions

BA

MA

DOC

25

Social Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

26

Visual And Performing Arts

BA

MA

DOC