Cornell University
Cornell University is a private Ivy League land-grant research university located in Ithaca, New York. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, the university has been co-educational and nonsectarian from the start.
The university is structured into eight undergraduate colleges and seven graduate divisions on its main Ithaca campus, with each college and division having significant autonomy in setting admission standards and academic programs. In addition to its main campus, Cornell operates three satellite campuses: two in New York City (the medical school and Cornell Tech) and a branch of the medical school in Al Rayyan, Qatar’s Education City.
Cornell is one of just three private land-grant universities in the United States. Of Cornell University’s eight undergraduate colleges, four are state-supported statutory or contract colleges affiliated with the State University of New York (SUNY) system: the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Human Ecology, the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. Among its graduate schools, the College of Veterinary Medicine is the only one that receives support from the state of New York.
2025 Rankings
by U.S. News & World Report
by QS World University Rankings
by Times Higher Education
Undergraduate Admissions Process Summary
Application Deadlines
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 2
Application Portal
Common Application
QuestBridge
Standardized Tests
SAT/ACT Required starting fall 2026
Recommendation Letters
Counselor Recommendation: 1 letter
Teacher Evaluation: 2 letters
On Campus Residence for Freshmen
Required
International Students
English Proficiency
TOEFL: minimum score 100
IELTS: minimum score 7.5
Duolingo: minimum score 130
Interview
Optional
Offered Alumni Conversations
University Specific Requests
None
Application Fee
$80
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Computer and Information Sciences 17%
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Business / Management / Marketing 15%
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Engineering 14%
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Agriculture Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science 12%
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Biological and Biomedical Sciences 12%
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Social Sciences 7%
Popular
Majors
8.4%
Acceptance Rate
61,178 applications to the undergraduate Class of 2028
50% of the Class of 2024 received need-based scholarship or grant aid
$10.7 billion endowment
Total Students
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White: 34.2%
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Asian: 18.7%
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Hispanic: 15.3%
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Black: 8.3%
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Multiracial: 5.1%
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Unknown: 7.5%
Campus
Cornell University’s campus is a stunning blend of natural beauty, historic architecture, and cutting-edge innovation. It spans on over 2,300 acres on East Hill, overlooking Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes. The setting is one of the most picturesque in the Ivy League—surrounded by deep gorges, waterfalls, and wooded trails that give the university a uniquely scenic and tranquil character.
At the heart of campus lies the Arts Quad, home to many of Cornell’s oldest and most iconic buildings, such as Uris Library, Sage Chapel, and McGraw Tower, whose daily chimes concerts are a cherished tradition. Just steps away, the Statler Hotel and the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning sit beside more modern structures like the Cornell Tech campus in New York City and Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan, reflecting the university’s far-reaching footprint.
Cornell’s academic facilities are matched by its dedication to student life. The campus hosts a dynamic mix of housing communities, cultural centers, research labs, libraries, and green spaces. Students can study beside waterfalls, take a break in the Cornell Botanic Gardens, or visit the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, which boasts panoramic views of the region.
The blend of rustic charm and intellectual rigor makes Cornell’s campus both inspiring and down-to-earth. It’s a place where tradition and progress coexist—where students can engage deeply with their studies while immersed in a breathtaking natural environment.
Cost of Attendance
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Tuition $68,380
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Mandatory Fees $934
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Housing $12,296
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Food $7,132
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Books & Course Materials $1,226
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Personal Expenses $2,182
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Total $92,150
At Cornell, 14% of undergraduates qualified for the Pell Grant
Notable Affiliations
Cornell University has produced an impressive roster of alumni who have made significant contributions across science, business, politics, sports, and entertainment. The diversity of its academic offerings and its culture of innovation have helped shape leaders and visionaries in nearly every field.
In science and technology, Cornell boasts alumni like Carl Sagan, the famed astronomer and science communicator, who not only studied and taught at Cornell but also helped make complex space concepts accessible to the public. Bill Nye, known as “The Science Guy,” also graduated from Cornell with a degree in mechanical engineering and credits his passion for science education to his time at the university. Additionally, Barbara McClintock, a Nobel Prize-winning geneticist, was a Cornell alumna who made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of cytogenetics.
The business world has seen no shortage of Cornellians at the helm of major corporations. Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of the Tata Group, India’s largest conglomerate, earned a degree from Cornell’s College of Architecture. David Duffield, co-founder of PeopleSoft and Workday, is another example of a Cornell graduate who made a lasting impact in the tech and business sectors. Irene Rosenfeld, former CEO of Mondelez International, is also a notable alumna.
In politics and public service, Cornell alumni include Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who studied at Cornell before her historic tenure as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Tsai Ing-wen, the current President of Taiwan, earned a law degree from Cornell, reinforcing the university’s global reach. Numerous U.S. senators, ambassadors, and policy leaders have emerged from Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and its other colleges.
Cornell also has a notable presence in sports. Former Olympians, NHL and NFL players, and NCAA champions have emerged from Cornell’s athletic programs. Ken Dryden, a Hall of Fame goaltender and former Member of Parliament in Canada, is one of the university’s most celebrated athlete-alumni. The school’s strong hockey, wrestling, and lacrosse programs continue to produce standout talent.
In the world of entertainment and media, Cornell has alumni like Christopher Reeve, best known for playing Superman, and Ann Coulter, a political commentator and author. Emmy-winning producer David Benioff, co-creator of Game of Thrones, also studied at Cornell.
Cornell is known for its strong academic reputation, particularly in fields like engineering, architecture, hotel administration, agriculture, labor relations, and veterinary medicine. As the only Ivy League university that is also a land-grant institution, it has a unique mission combining public service with academic excellence.
Cornell’s iconic McGraw Tower houses 21 bells and offers daily chimes concerts—live music performed by student chimesmasters. You might hear classical, pop, or even anime soundtracks floating over campus at 7:45 AM sharp (yes, even in the snow).
Yes, Cornell is one of the eight Ivy League schools. Founded in 1865, it is the youngest member of the Ivy League but holds equal prestige and competitiveness in academics and research.
Welcome to the Cornell Slope—a legendary campus hill that tests everyone’s stamina. Walking up it is a daily ritual (or punishment), especially in winter. It’s also the location for Slope Day, a campus-wide spring celebration with live music and zero academic stress—for one day, at least.
Cornell is test-optional for some of its undergraduate colleges for the Class of 2025, but beginning with applications for the Class of 2026 and beyond, it will reinstate standardized testing requirements for most applicants. Requirements may vary depending on the college within Cornell.
Yes! Ithaca is famous for its waterfalls, and Cornell’s campus itself has multiple gorges and waterfalls running through it—like Cascadilla Gorge and Fall Creek Gorge. Students often joke that it’s the only Ivy League school where hiking to class is part of the experience.
Yes, and it’s world-renowned. The School of Hotel Administration (SHA) is part of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and is often called the “Harvard of Hospitality.” Students in SHA study management, finance, and food science—and often run on-campus dining and events as part of their training.