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Ithaca , NY
Cornell University is a prestigious Ivy League institution located in Ithaca, New York. Established in 1865, Cornell is known for its rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge research, and commitment to public service. Offering over 100 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate fields of study, the university provides a diverse range of educational opportunities.
The university operates through seven undergraduate colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, and the School of Hotel Administration, each offering specialized programs and degrees. Cornell's faculty is renowned for their expertise and dedication to teaching, with many professors being recipients of prestigious awards and grants. The university promotes a distinctive approach to education known as "any person, any study," which encourages students to explore their passions across disciplines and tailor their education according to their interests.
Research is a fundamental aspect of Cornell's identity, with the university being involved in extensive research initiatives, including interdisciplinary collaboration. The Cornell Research Division encompasses various cutting-edge projects in areas such as agriculture, engineering, medicine, and social sciences. Furthermore, Cornell is home to several research centers and institutes, fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
Beyond academics, Cornell offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations and clubs catering to a wide array of interests. The university's athletic teams, known as the Big Red, compete in NCAA Division I and take part in Ivy League competitions. Cornell's picturesque campus, nestled in the Finger Lakes region of New York, provides a rich environment for students to engage in intellectual pursuits, explore the outdoors, and enjoy a close-knit community. With its rich history, commitment to excellence, and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, Cornell University stands as a renowned institution shaping the minds of future generations.
Cornell University is a private university located in Ithaca, NY. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 8%. The freshman retention rate at Cornell University is 98.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 96%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 2. The transfer application deadline is March 15.
Read more about what Cornell University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
16,128
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$71,266
Tuition
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
96%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most essential facts you should know about admission at Cornell University.
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 5,516 in 2025. Cornell University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, Cornell University provides an unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 44.9% and ACT scores 14.6%. 97.41% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600 and 2.59% between 1,200 and 1,399. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 96.9, 2.7 between 24-29 and 0.4 in the range between 18-23.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to Cornell University is January 2. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Cornell University was 98.1%, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 96%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 26,793 students.
That year, the school had 64% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 16,128, 1172 of which were foreign students. 503 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 12,245 male and 13,505 female full-time students in 2025. 4,668 full-time graduate men and 4,769 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 3,260, and the number of African American students was 944. 1,770 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 729 as multirace. The school also had 20 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 27 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 718 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Cornell University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Cornell University? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $71,266 in 2025. Cornell University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,004.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to give about $1,216 for books and supplies during their time at Cornell University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at Cornell University amounted to $20,574 a year. If you only wanted a room on the campus, it cost $13,246 for the 2025 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $13,246.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 71,266 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,574 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,216 |
| Total Expense | $ 93,056 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial support can be a great deal for a number of students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Cornell University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent records show that 1,656 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $64,225.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
7,316 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Cornell University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 7,583. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $24,469,146, and state $7,702,933. The students of Cornell University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $397,033,773, and external in the amount of $19,155,136.
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
$1,561,357 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
9:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Cornell University was 9:1: that means 9 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. According to the most recent information, there are 2,330 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 1,355 men and 975 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Cornell University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some info about campus life at Cornell University.
Its campus spans 745 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 750 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The student organization that attracts the greatest number of students is Outing Club, followed by Alpha Phi Omega and Sports Clubs. Other popular student organizations at this school are Cornell University Programming Board and Cornell Concert Commission.
Those who have a talent for music can join the Cornell University band or chorus. If drama is your thing, there is a club dedicated to acting that you can join. For students who have a passion for media and communication, Cornell University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Cornell University offers a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Cornell University.
All in all, campus life at Cornell University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Cornell University.
Career Counselling
At Cornell University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The average annual salary for graduates employed six months after graduation from this institution is 82,525 USD.
$82,525
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY.
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Cornell University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Cornell University is 71,266 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Cornell University is 8%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Cornell University is 98.1%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
