Overview
Cornell University is a private institution founded in 1865. It has 16,071 undergraduate students as of fall 2023 and occupies a vast 745-acre rural campus. The university operates on a semester system. Cornell ranks #11 among National Universities in the 2025 Best Colleges list. Tuition and fees are $69,314.
At-a-Glance
Setting: Rural
Tuition & Fees: $69,314
Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,071
Acceptance Rate: 8%
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Cornell University Rankings
Here’s where Cornell ranks in several categories:
National Recognition
#11 in National Universities (tie)
#19 in Best Value Schools
#10 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
Engineering Specialties (Doctorate-Level Schools)
#4 in Biological/Agricultural (tie)
#4 in Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical
#11 in Civil (tie)
#11 in Computer
#10 in Electrical/Electronic/Communications
#10 in Environmental/Environmental Health
#8 in Industrial/Manufacturing (tie)
#8 in Materials
#10 in Mechanical (tie)
Business Programs
#9 in Business Programs (tie)
Accounting
Analytics
Entrepreneurship
#12 in Finance
Management
Marketing
#8 in Quantitative Analysis (tie)
Real Estate
Computer Science
#7 in Computer Science (tie)
#7 in Artificial Intelligence
#12 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology (tie)
#12 in Computer Systems
#10 in Cybersecurity (tie)
#8 in Data Analytics/Science
#10 in Mobile/Web Applications (tie)
#4 in Programming Languages (tie)
#12 in Software Engineering (tie)
#5 in Theory
Other Notable Rankings
#8 in Psychology Programs (tie)
#11 in Economics (tie)
#5 in Writing in the Disciplines (tie)
#42 in Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects (tie)
#15 in Service Learning (tie)
#13 in Co-ops/Internships
#1 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
#31 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (tie)
#19 in Most Innovative Schools (tie)
#111 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie)
How Cornell Ranks Nationally
Cornell is ranked #11 among 436 National Universities. Rankings are determined by performance across key measures of excellence.
U.S. News Overall Score: 92/100
Outcomes (52%)
6-year graduation rate: 95%
Graduation rate of Pell Grant recipients: 93%
Graduation rate of non-Pell Grant recipients: 96%
Cornell University Admissions
Acceptance Rate: 8%
Test Scores (Middle 50%)
SAT: 1480–1560
ACT: 33–35
Application Deadline: January 2
Application Fee: $80
Admissions officers place significant weight on GPA, with class rank (if known) and recommendations.
Cornell University Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees: $69,314 (over the national average of $47,890)
Total Cost (including housing, food, etc.): $88,140
Average Net Price (after aid): $29,161
Net Price by Family Income (2021-2022)
Income Range Average Cost
$0–$30,000 $4,375
$30,001–$48,000 $5,017
$48,001–$75,000 $8,006
$75,001–$110,000 $20,728
$110,001+ $48,783
Room & Board: $19,428
Cornell University Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Small Classes (<20 students): 54.3%
Top Majors (2023 Graduates):
Computer & Information Sciences (17%)
Business & Management (15%)
Engineering (14%)
Agricultural Sciences (12%)
Biological Sciences (12%)
Freshman Retention Rate: 97%
Find your perfect major with our Innate Assessment—explore programs that match your strengths!
Cornell University Student Life
Undergrad Enrollment (Fall 2023): 16,071
Gender Breakdown: 45.5% male, 54.5% female
Total Enrollment: 26,284 (including 10,213 grad students)
Athletics: NCAA Division I
Pell Grant Recipients (2022-2023): 18%
Campus & Student Services
Cornell provides:
Tutoring, women’s center, career placement, daycare, health services
Campus safety: 24/7 patrols, late-night escorts, emergency phones, secure dorms
Alcohol allowed for lawfully-aged students
