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Cornell University

Ithaca, New York 14853

Campus Vibe

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Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings

Cornell University is a private institution in Ithaca with particular strength in computer science and business. With an average SAT of 1520, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.

A large campus of 15.9K undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

95% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $104,043 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $32,337.

Established

1865

Motto

"I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study"

Mascot

Touchdown the Bear (unofficial)

Type

Private land-grant research university

Conference

NCAA Division I as the Cornell Big Red

Division

Division I

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8%Acceptance

1520SAT Avg

15,935Students

9:1Student:Faculty

95%Grad Rate

$104,043Earnings 10yr

$32,337Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Cornell University Launches New Data Science Minor

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tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

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Admissions

Acceptance Rate8.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1520

Reading & WritingMid: 730

720770

MathMid: 775

760790

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 34

3335

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

8.2%

Trend

SAT Avg

1520

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$66,014

Room & Board$18,554

Books & Supplies$1,354

Total Cost of Attendance$83,196

Average Net Price$32,337

Median Debt at Graduation$14,000

Monthly Payment (10yr)$148

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$4,079

$30–48K$5,589

$48–75K$8,129

$75–110K$18,531

$110K+$51,735

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$32,337

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

7600.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,000

SAT Range	Avg Award	Note
1400-1600	$25,000	Academic merit scholarship
1200-1399	$15,000	Dean's scholarship
1000-1199	$8,000	Achievement award

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

121

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

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Programs (266)

Student Life

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Student Body

Undergrads

15,935

Gender Split

55% / 46%

Women / Men

First Generation

15%

Pell Grant Recipients

18%

Race & Ethnicity

White 31%

Black 7%

Hispanic 15%

Asian 25%

Two+ 6%

Int'l 10%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate95.1%

Freshman Retention97.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$87,830

8 Years$97,098

10 Years$104,043

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women

$87,400

Men

$114,900

Rankings

U.S. News

#12

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Forbes

#14

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Wall Street Journal

#29

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Washington Monthly

#21

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More About This School

Varsity Sports

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Rankings

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History & Fun Facts

•The university was established as New York's land-grant institution following authorization by the New York State Legislature.
•Ezra Cornell provided his farm in Ithaca, New York, as the initial campus site and contributed $500,000 as an initial endowment (equivalent to $12,769,000 in 2024).
•White agreed to serve as the university's first president.
•White oversaw the university's early development, including construction of its first two buildings, and traveled to recruit students and faculty.
•The university was formally inaugurated on October 7, 1868, with 412 male students enrolling the following day.

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Source: Wikipedia