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Cornell University
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in NY. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$66,014
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
8.2%
Selectivity Level
Graduation Rate
95.2%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$104,043
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
Cornell University is a distinguished Private nonprofit, 4-Year institution located in Ithaca, NY. With a competitive tuition profile of $66,014, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 95.2% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
Admissions Intel
SAT Score Range
ACT Score Range
Acceptance Rate
8.2%
What You Need to Apply
Application requirements for Cornell University
GPA: 3.9 – 4 (unweighted mid-50%)
Standardized Tests
SAT: 1480 – 1560 (mid-50%)
ACT: 33 – 35 (mid-50%)
2 Essays Required
Common App essay + 1 college-specific supplement. Some Cornell colleges require additional essays.
3 Recommendation Letters Required
1 counselor + 2 teachers required
Required Documents
- • Common App + Cornell Supplement
- • High school transcript
- • 3 recommendation letters
- • SAT/ACT scores
- • Mid-year report
Key Deadlines
Early Decision
November 1, 2025
Regular Decision
January 2, 2026
ED is binding. Materials due Nov 15 for ED.
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
February 15, 2026
File FAFSA by this date to maximize aid eligibility.
Important
7 undergraduate colleges with different supplement prompts. SAT/ACT required for Fall 2026. Superscores both.
Last verified: April 12, 2026. Source: Cornell Admissions. Always verify requirements directly with Cornell University before applying.
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 4-Year Cost
$264,056
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
3.6 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$74,043
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$476,374
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$1,216,804
Long-term projected return on your education investment
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Cornell University is $14,000.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
0
Burglary
0
Theft
0
Assault
0
Robbery
0
Rape
0
Arson
0
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$66,014
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
97.8%
Success
95.2%
In-State Cost
$66,014
Age 25+ Students
0.5%
Carnegie Class
R1: Doctoral — Very High Research
Working at 6yr
1,519 students
Security Benchmark
Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)
Violent Offenses
PER 100KProperty Crimes
PER 100KStats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.
Living In Ithaca
Off-Campus Market Estimator
Studio
$1,311
Monthly Average
1 Bedroom
$1,434
Monthly Average
2 Bedrooms
$1,664
Monthly Average
3 Bedrooms
$
Monthly Average
Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the Ithaca metropolitan area.