THE BEST COLLEGES IN AMERICA

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY http://cornell.edu/

Awarded one of America’s Best Colleges

An unusual public-private hybrid, Cornell has a unique position in the Ivy League. New York state residents can enroll in certain Cornell colleges and pay about $20,000 a year less than the tuition charged to the rest of the university.

Cornell has a reputation as the largest and typically the least selective of the Ivies, accepting about 9% of applicants into its 15,500-person undergraduate population. Cornell's private side includes a highly respected College of Arts & Sciences, as well as architecture and hotel administration programs that are considered leaders in their respective fields. Recent grads tend to find high-paying jobs, and the median salary 10 years after enrolling is about $98,300.

Cornell celebrates a variety of campus traditions, one of the most beloved of which is Slope Day, a celebration of the end of winter that includes food, beer, carnival games, giveaways and musical performances by the likes of Steve Aoki and Kendrick Lamar.

The university is located in one of the country's top college towns, Ithaca, and thanks partly to nearby Ithaca College, college-aged students comprise a large portion of the local population. There are numerous bars and restaurants, a good music scene and many opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Costs

Est. full price 2023-2024: $84,100

% of students who get any grants: 49%

Est. price for students who receive aid: $26,000

Average price for low-income students: $1,900

NET PRICE CALCULATOR

Admissions

Acceptance rate: 9%

GPA: N/A

Median SAT/ACT score: 1510/34

SAT/ACT required?: No

Undergraduate enrollment: 15,450

Financial Aid

% of students with need who get grants: 98%

% of need met: 100%

% of students who get merit grants: N/A

Average merit grant: N/A

Student Success

Graduation rate: 95%

Average time to a degree: 4.1 years

Median student debt: $14,000

Early career earnings: $98,300

% earning more than a high school grad: 86%

Notes: Prices reflect in-state charges for public universities. Students who get merit grants are full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants. Graduation rate measures degree completion within six years for both transfer students and first-time students. Early career earnings are the median earnings for both graduates and non-completers, 10 years after they first enrolled.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson’s, Money/Witlytic calculations.

Cornell University tuition and fees

Estimated cost and due date

Tuition and fees at Cornell University amount to $65,204. You’ll also need to factor in room and board, books, and living expenses while enrolled.

The due date for Fall is August 07, 2023. However, it's always a good idea to check the university's official calendar or your student portal regularly for any changes. Late payments may incur extra fees.

Feeling overwhelmed by the cost? That’s understandable, as college can be expensive. However, there are a variety of financial aid sources you can access, including student loans, grants, and scholarships. Here is a brief overview of the available options; for a more comprehensive step-by-step, read our How to Pay for College guide.

Exploring financial aid options at Cornell University

Scholarships and grants

At Cornell University, undergraduates can receive an average of $52,178 in grant aid, which comes from federal, state, local and school sources. One of the most widespread options is the Pell Grant, a program of the US government specifically catering to those with low incomes. 17% of Cornell students receive Pell Grants; to be eligible for this type of aid as well as other sources of financial assistance, you must fill out the FAFSA.

State grants

Most states have programs to assist students with college expenses. Generally, these awards are only available to those living in the state and attending a college there, but it's worth looking into the eligibility requirements of your home state. For example, in New York, residents can qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship and other programs.

University scholarships, aka institutional aid

When it comes to financial aid, colleges typically offer two types: need-based and merit-based. The first is based on a student's financial situation, while merit-based awards include scholarships given out for academic performance, artistic ability, extracurricular leadership and other criteria. As an example, Cornell University offers 48% of its freshmen a scholarship with an average amount of $50,341.

External scholarships

Don't forget to search for external scholarships too. There are many local organizations that provide scholarships to assist students with college costs, and some scholarships have year-round deadlines so you can get funds after you've enrolled. Check out our guide on college grants and scholarships to find out more about the various types of gift aid.

Student loans

Federal student loans

Federal student loans are the most common way to finance educational expenses. These are loans provided by the government and have relatively low-interest rates and flexible repayment options.

Private student loans

Private student loans are an alternate choice. These are offered by private lenders such as banks and credit unions. They can be used to cover the costs not taken care of by federal loans, but they usually have higher interest rates and less flexible repayment plans.

How to pay tuition bills at Cornell University

Receiving loans, grants or scholarships usually means the funding goes directly to the university, leaving you to cover the remaining costs. To settle tuition expenses, visit https://www.cornell.edu/.

The data included in this page contains data published in university sites, government public records and other vetted sources as of June 23, 2023. Be advised to validate this information with the university registrar or financial office.

This content was created with the assistance of AI technology and has been reviewed, edited and fact-checked by Money's editorial staff.