Cornell University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $101,200 within 10 years; exceptional 95% graduation rate.
About This School
Cornell University is a private nonprofit institution located in Ithaca, New York with approximately 15,995 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 9%. The average net price after financial aid is $28,690 per year. The graduation rate is 95%, and the typical graduate earns $101,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States. The university was co-founded by American philanthropist Ezra Cornell and historian and educator Andrew Dickson White in 1865. Since its founding, Cornell University has been a co-educational and nonsectarian institution. As of fall 2024, the student body included 16,128 undergraduate and 10,665 postgraduate students from all 50 U.S. states and 130 countries.
This is a strong option for students who can get in — with a 95% graduation rate, a median salary of $101,200 a decade out, and surprisingly low median debt of just $13,000, the financial picture is genuinely compelling for an Ivy. The 8% acceptance rate is the obvious catch, so this belongs on your list as a reach, not a likely — but if you're competitive, the outcomes here are hard to argue with.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Early vs. Regular Decision
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 18% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Cornell University graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer Science ($223,309 vs $107,009 nationally).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 507 | $223,309 | $107,009 | +$116,300 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 290 | $112,289 | $56,726 | +$55,563 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 273 | $112,713 | $68,069 | +$44,644 |
| Biology, General | 254 | $69,083 | $57,214 | +$11,869 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 254 | $145,218 | $66,647 | +$78,571 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 206 | $144,389 | $92,374 | +$52,015 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 176 | $85,883 | $65,681 | +$20,202 |
| Economics | 157 | $137,935 | $82,686 | +$55,249 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 132 | $112,212 | $92,135 | +$20,077 |
| Political Science and Government | 116 | $95,391 | $63,293 | +$32,098 |
| Mathematics | 103 | $134,455 | $69,562 | +$64,893 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 100 | $147,241 | $100,647 | +$46,594 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (15,995 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Cornell University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Cornell University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Cornell University?
Cornell University has an acceptance rate of 9%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Cornell University hard to get into?
Yes. With an acceptance rate of 9%, Cornell University is highly selective, so strong grades, a rigorous course load, and a standout application matter.
How much does Cornell University cost?
The average net price at Cornell University is about $28,690 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Cornell University?
Cornell University has a graduation rate of 95%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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