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Ithaca, NY · Private · Large · Rural
2.6x the Regular Decision rate
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolling students
How much the school says contact matters
Deadlines, fees, testing policy, and recommendation requirements come from the Common App 2026-2027 First-Year Deadlines, Fees and Requirements file published August 28, 2026. Schools can still change a date after publication, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolled students
Of enrolled students
Reported by the school to IPEDS for fall 2023 admission.
Tuition, housing, food, and fees
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
| Major | Degrees | Graduates here | Same major nationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 507 | $219,827 | $107,009 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 290 | $98,785 | $56,726 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 273 | $120,368 | $68,069 |
| Biology, General | 254 | $69,997 | $57,214 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 254 | $130,690 | $66,647 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 206 | $140,860 | $92,374 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 176 | $85,225 | $65,681 |
| Economics | 157 | $129,667 |
Average net price paid by aided students in each family income band, after grants and scholarships. Usually far below the sticker price above.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at Cornell University.
Plan to submit either the SAT or the ACT.
Common App personal statement (650 words) + 3 supplementals
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
1 counselor + 2 teacher recommendations required
This school does not consider interest. Don't burn time on it - focus on the application itself.
$85
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
If a parent attended, mention it on the application. Some schools have ended this practice - verify with current admissions guidance.
Sticker price means almost nothing. Cornell University's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.
Open Cornell University's Net Price CalculatorCornell University publishes its supplement only inside the Common App. Cornell's questions are set per college or school and are not published in full on its admissions site. They live inside the Common App writing supplement, where the prompts shown depend on the college you select. The prompts below are from the 2024-2025 cycle and are here so you can plan the work, not so you can write to them. For this year's exact wording, open your Common App account and go to My Colleges, Cornell University, Writing Supplement.
Open the Common AppCornell University publishes its supplement only inside the Common App. Cornell's questions are set per college or school and are not published in full on its admissions site. They live inside the Common App writing supplement, where the prompts shown depend on the college you select. The prompts below are from the 2024-2025 cycle and are here so you can plan the work, not so you can write to them. For this year's exact wording, open your Common App account and go to My Colleges, Cornell University, Writing Supplement.
Open the Common AppCornell's questions are set per college or school and are not published in full on its admissions site. They live inside the Common App writing supplement, where the prompts shown depend on the college you select.
Academic interests (all)
Required350 words“In the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War, Ezra Cornell wrote, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study." For over 150 years, Cornell University has remained deeply committed to Ezra's vision. Explain how your life experiences will help inform your contributions to a learning, living and working community devoted to 'any person, any study.'”
Start essay with this prompt →College of Arts & Sciences
Required650 wordsArts & Sciences applicants“At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why.”
Start essay with this prompt →College of Engineering
Required250 wordsEngineering applicants“Why do you want to study engineering, and how will Cornell Engineering help you achieve your goals?”
Start essay with this prompt →Last verified 2024-09-01 · Cycle 2024-2025 · For the current cycle, double-check the school's admissions writing page.
This school explicitly does not consider demonstrated interest in admissions decisions. Don't spend time visiting, opening every email, or following on social purely for admissions. Those things won't move the needle here.
Where to spend time instead: the application itself. Strong essays, tight activities list, recommendations from teachers who know you well.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Available
Est. Net Price (You)
$69,314
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$69,314
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$277,256
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
Yes
Study Abroad
16%
Religious Affiliation
None
Football Conference
Ivy
Debt-to-Income
25.5%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$665,744
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
Applying Early Decision would give you a 2.6x advantage (17% ED vs 6.5% RD).
This school gives legacy preference. If a parent or grandparent attended, highlight it.
Deadline (ED: November 1, 2026) / RD: January 2, 2027
111 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: Common App
Supplemental Essays: 3
Interview: Optional
Recommendation letters needed
Test scores required
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.
| $82,686 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 132 | $113,983 | $92,135 |
| Political Science and Government | 116 | $87,361 | $63,293 |
| Mathematics | 103 | $162,763 | $69,562 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 100 | $131,283 | $100,647 |
Median earnings of this school's graduates in each major, roughly five years out, beside the national median for the same major.