Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Colleges / NY / Ithaca
Cornell University logo

Cornell University

Private nonprofit Ithaca, NY · Urban · Mid-Atlantic · 100% data reported · Agent Insights
95%
Graduation Rate
$104,043
Earnings (10yr)
$28,690
Net Price
9%
Acceptance Rate

Find Your Program

Match With an Accredited Program Accepting Applicants

Explore accredited programs — fast, free, no obligation.

✓ Accredited programs ✓ 100% free ✓ No obligation

Overview

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, is a fitting choice for students who are academically driven and eager for a deeply engaging campus experience. With an acceptance rate of just 9%, this school attracts some of the brightest minds, and it has a graduation rate of 95%. Students here dive into popular programs like Computer Science, Business, and Engineering, all of which are designed to prepare them for competitive fields.

After graduation, individuals from Cornell see impressive financial returns, with a median earning of about $104,043 after ten years. This level of income reflects the value of the education received and the strong career paths available to graduates. Although the cost of attendance can be significant, the financial aid landscape is supportive, especially for those who qualify for Pell Grants, which help about 18% of students.

The net price after aid stands at approximately $28,690, which is manageable considering the median debt of $14,000 that graduates carry. This financial framework means that most students can graduate with a reasonable amount of debt, allowing them to focus on their careers and aspirations rather than being weighed down by financial burdens. Those who thrive at Cornell are typically motivated, engaged, and ready to take advantage of the many resources and connections available to them.

Rankings

How Cornell Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation95%Earnings 10yr$104KNet Price$29KRetention98%Median Debt$14KPell Grant Rate18%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$2K$0-30K$4K$30-48K$7K$48-75K$50K$110K+

The Mobility Equation

Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?

ACCESS% from bottom 20%489.8%SUCCESS% who reach top 20%5935.4%MOBILITY290.70%

Cost & Financial Aid

$69,314
In-State Tuition
$69,314
Out-of-State
$28,690
Avg Net Price
$14,000
Median Debt
18%
Pell Grant Rate
18%
Federal Loan Rate

What Families Actually Pay

$1,776
Family Income $0–$30K
$4,070
Family Income $30K–$48K
$6,796
Family Income $48K–$75K
$49,992
Family Income $110K+

Graduate Outcomes

$87,830
6 Years After Entry
$97,098
8 Years
$104,043
10 Years
0.13x
Debt-to-Earnings
85%
Earning > $25K

Earnings Trajectory

$87,830 6yr $97,098 8yr $104,043 10yr

Social Mobility

Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records

290.70%
Mobility Rate
Bottom 20% → Top 20%
5935.4%
Success Rate
If bottom 20% get in
489.8%
From Bottom 20%
Share of students
$143,300
Parent Median Income

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

1.82
Economic Connectedness
Cross-class friendships
0.01
Friending Bias
Lower = more inclusive
9.3%
Volunteering Rate
1.00
Support Ratio
Community support

Research & Teaching

Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings

#14
World Rank
82.2
Teaching
88.8
Research
88.1
Citations
62.4
International

Innovation

Data: Opportunity Insights Patent & Innovation Data

2.637%
Inventor Rate
664
Total Patents
921
Total Citations

Academics & Admissions

Acceptance Rate 9%
Retention Rate 98%
SAT Average 1535
ACT Midpoint 34
SAT Range 1500–1570
ACT Range 33–35
Full-Time Faculty 93%
Faculty Salary (mo) $17,953
Diversity Index 0.80
First-Gen Students 15%

Top Programs

Computer Science & IT 18%
Business & Marketing 14%
Engineering 13%
Biology & Biomedical 10%
Social Sciences 8%
Psychology 3%
Physical Sciences 3%
Mathematics & Statistics 2%