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%.
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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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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