Can you get into Cornell University?
Ithaca, NY · Private · 15,995 students Here’s the class that got in. See where your numbers land in it.
Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.
The admitted class · 2024
Here’s what it took to get in.
Acceptance rate
8.8%
SAT middle 50%
1500–1570
median 1505
ACT middle 50%
33–35
median 34
Testing
Required
37% submitted an SAT
Graduation rate
95%
within six years
Common App
Accepted
Reported by the college
What does Cornell University actually read?
Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It’s the most useful thing they say about admissions. Almost nobody reads it. Say the essay counts a lot here and class rank doesn’t count at all. That tells you where to put your work.
Very important
The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.
- Course rigor
- Essay
- Recommendations
Considered
Looked at, but not decisive on its own.
- Grades
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Legacy
- Work experience
From the federal IPEDS admissions survey, 2024. It records whether Cornell University considers each factor, but not how heavily, and it doesn’t ask about extracurriculars, character, or demonstrated interest. Where a school publishes its Common Data Set, Spike uses that instead.
Deadlines · 2026 cycle
When should you apply?
- Early DecisionNovember 1, 2026
- Regular DecisionJanuary 2, 2027
Cornell University fills part of its class in the early round. Admit rates there typically run higher. Early Decision is binding. It only fits a clear first choice.
Real cost · 2024 data
What do families actually pay?
The sticker price is $88,140. Almost nobody pays it. Here’s what families pay at Cornell University by income, after grants and scholarships:
- Under $30k$1,776
- $30k–$48k$4,070
- $48k–$75k$6,796
- $75k–$110k$14,311
- Over $110k$49,992
U.S. Department of Education data: average net price a year for first-time students who got aid. Your own number depends on your family’s finances.
Keep going
Keep reading about Cornell University.
Harder to get into
About as selective
Common questions
What do students ask about Cornell University?
What’s Cornell University’s acceptance rate?
Cornell University admits 8.8% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).
What SAT score do you need for Cornell University?
The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1500 and 1570. A score above 1570 clears the 75th percentile. Below 1500, the rest of your application has to do more of the work.
Is Cornell University test-optional?
No. Cornell University requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants for the 2026 cycle.
What does Cornell University look for in an application?
Cornell University says it weighs course rigor, essay, recommendations most heavily. What it lists as not considered is worth knowing too. Work you put there doesn’t count here.
How much does Cornell University actually cost?
The sticker price is $88,140. The average family pays $28,690 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $1,776 a year on average.
What Spike does with this
Use the Cornell University read in your plan.
Spike ties your numbers to your courses, testing, essays, and activities. It does the same for the rest of your college list.
The full counselor launches in November.