Cornell University Admission
Application Fee
$80
Graduate Application Fee
$105
Acceptance Rate
8.16%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
66.01%
Freshmen Enrollment
3,491
SAT Scores
1,520
For the 2022-2023 admission, a total of 69,195 students have applied and 5,168 students have allowed to admit to Cornell University (Acceptance rate: 7.47%). Cornell's yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 67.55 % where 3,491 students have finally enrolled out of 5,168 admitted students.
Cornell acceptance rate is lower (tighter to admit) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York. Compared to similar schools in rankings such as Brown University and Rice University, its acceptance rate is average (the average acceptance rate of the schools is 9.38%).
Cornell enrollment rate (yield) is higher (more admitted-students enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York. Compared to similar schools in rankings, its yield is lower (admitted, but not enrolled) (average yield is 52.94%).
How to Apply to Cornell University
The following table summarizes the contact and directory information to apply Cornell. Cornell offers benefits for veterans, service member, or qualified family members. You may need to prepare certificate of eligibility (COE ) from the Veterans Affairs .
| Admission | https://admissions.cornell.edu/ |
|---|---|
| Online Application | https://www.commonapp.org/ |
| Financial Aid | https://finaid.cornell.edu/ |
| Net Price Calculator | https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/cornell |
| Veterans Tuition | https://registrar.cornell.edu/service-resources/veteran-education-benefits |
| Disability Service | health.cornell.edu/services/student-disability-services |
Admission Statistics Charts
The following chart visualizes the admission statistics at Cornell and compares to similar schools by type, level and location.
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Test Scores Comparison
In 2023, the average SAT score at Cornell University is 1,520 and the average ACT score is 34. Compared to similar schools in college rankings, the admission score of Cornell University is comparable to the schools (average score is 1,528). You can check and compare the SAT and ACT scores by subject with tables and charts.
| SAT Average | ACT Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell University | 1,520 | 34 |
| Similarly Colleges in Rankings | 1,528 | 35 |
| All U.S. Colleges | 1,123 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges | 1,132 | 69 |
| 4-Years Colleges | 1,124 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York | 1,206 | 77 |
SAT/ACT Scores by Subject
At Cornell University, 1,281 students submitted SAT scores (37% of enrolled students).
The average SAT score is about 1,520 and it is extremely competitive scores than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York. The following table shows the SAT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 710 | 750 | 770 |
| Mathematics | 760 | 780 | 800 |
| Total | 1,470 | 1,530 | 1,570 |
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)(Last update: December 11, 2023)
At Cornell University, 490 students submitted ACT scores (14% of enrolled students).
The average ACT score is about 34 and it is lower than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in New York. The next table shows the ACT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| English | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| Mathematics | 32 | 34 | 35 |
Cornell Admission Requirements
The following table summarizes the admission requirement to apply to Cornell University. The school requires 4 items to submit - Secondary school record, Recommendations, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and Legacy status.
7 items are Considered if submitted - Secondary school GPA, Secondary school rank, Completion of college-preparatory program, Formal demonstration of competencies, Admission test scores, Work experience, and Personal statement or essay.
| Secondary school GPA | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school rank | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| Completion of college-preparatory program | Considered, if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Considered, if submitted |
| Admission test scores | Considered, if submitted |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
| Work experience | Considered, if submitted |
| Personal statement or essay | Considered, if submitted |
| Legacy status | Required |