Cornell University
Ithaca, NY · Small city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 8.8%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 65,635
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 5,358
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 3,537
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 66%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 8.8%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 7.5%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 730–770
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 770–800
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 33–35
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 37% / 12%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- considered
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $88,140
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $69,314
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $69,314
- Median debt at graduation
- $14,000
- Students with federal loans
- 18%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 95%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 98%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $70,710
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $104,043
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 15,995
- Graduate students
- 10,665
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 9 : 1
- Women
- 55%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 18%
- Full-time faculty
- 93%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- Interim President
- Michael Kotlikoff
- Main phone
- (607) 255-2000
- Address
- 300 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
How to apply
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | mid-December |
| Regular Decision | January 2 | late March |
- Apply with
- Common App
- Application fee
- $85 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Required
- Essays
- College/school-specific essays in the Cornell supplement
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 2 teachers
Testing: SAT or ACT scores required
Financial aid policies
- Need-blind for U.S. applicants
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Aid offers include zero or low student loans depending on family income; need-aware for internationals
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 18.8% (1,889 of 10,057)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 9,720 / 6,598 / 254
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: admissions.cornell.edu, finaid.cornell.edu, finaid.cornell.edu, irp.cornell.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.