About

About Cornell University

ivy league universityhighly selective admissionsstrong stem programslarge research universityco op programs

Cornell University is a private research university in Ithaca, NY, known for its ivy league university, strong stem programs, and co op programs. With an acceptance rate of 7%, Cornell is one of the most selective colleges in the United States, typically enrolling around 3,491 students each year. Admitted students typically score between 1510–1560 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need and has replaced loans with grants; for families earning under $75,000, the net cost is often $0.

Admissions

Cornell University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

one of the most selective colleges in the United States

7%
Overall Accept Rate
1535
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1510 – 1560

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Cornell University

Essay Strategy
Cornell requires a college-specific supplemental essay, and admissions readers can immediately tell when students write a generic response. Research the specific faculty, labs, courses, or programs within your target college (like CALS, Engineering, or ILR) and name them directly in your essay to show you understand what makes that college distinct from the others at Cornell.
Application Strategy
You apply to a specific college within Cornell, not to the university as a whole, so choose carefully. Applying to the college that most naturally fits your academic goals gives your application internal consistency and makes your supplemental essay far more convincing to readers.

Financial Aid & Cost

What Cornell University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Loan-free financial aid: Cornell University has replaced all loans with grants. For families earning under $75,000, the average net annual cost is $0. Cornell University's sticker price of ~$80k/year bears almost no resemblance to what most families pay.
Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30kOften $0~$80k/yr~$0 / yr
30k-48kOften $0~$80k/yr~$0 / yr
48k-75kOften $0~$80k/yr~$0 / yr
75k-110k~$80k/yr$14.3k
110k+~$80k/yr$50.0k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

95%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$88k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
9:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
15,575
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

31%White
27%Asian
13%Hispanic
10%International
7%Black / African American
6%Unknown / Unreported
6%Two or More Races
0%American Indian / AK Native
0%Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
Gender45% Men · 55% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status90% Citizens and Immigrants · 10% International
Cornell, Ithaca Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch