Cornell
Cornell University · Ithaca, New York · Private
Cornell admitted 8.4% of 72,523 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1490–1550 in the middle half. Test scores are required. 95% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Cornell
Enter a score to see whether Cornell is a reach, target or likely school for you.
It admits 8.4% of applicants, so it’s a reach for everyone, even with perfect scores.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 19% (1,889 of 10,057), compared with 8.4% for all applicants.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
9,720 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 6,598 took it, and 254 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Cornell rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
Important
- Class rank
- GPA
Considered
- Test scores
- Interview
- First generation
- Legacy
- Where you live
- State residency
- Volunteering
- Work experience
Not considered
- Religion
- Showing interest
What it costs
Full price with housing is $88,140 a year. After grants, students paid $26,455 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
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