Cornell vs. NYU

Cornell University and New York University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Cornell University
New York University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cornell (8.8% admitted vs 9.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cornell. Average net price is $26,361 vs $30,325 at NYU.
  • Graduation: Cornell 93% vs NYU 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cornell $98,400 vs NYU $76,000 (median).
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Key differences

Cornell University New York University
Acceptance rate
Cornell more selective
Cornell8.8%
NYU9.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cornell higher
Cornell1500-1570
NYU1480-1560
Average net price
Cornell $3,964 less
Cornell$26,361
NYU$30,325
In-state tuition
NYU $6,518 less
Cornell$69,314
NYU$62,796
Out-of-state tuition
NYU $6,518 less
Cornell$69,314
NYU$62,796
Graduation rate
Cornell +7 pts
Cornell93%
NYU86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$22,400
Cornell$98,400
NYU$76,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cornell 62,993
  • NYU 110,807
  • Admitted
  • Cornell 5,516
  • NYU 10,232
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • NYU 9.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • NYU 55.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cornell 1540
  • NYU 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cornell 34
  • NYU 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cornell 3.9
  • NYU 3.79
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cornell A
  • NYU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cornell Elite
  • NYU Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Cornell Extreme
  • NYU Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • NYU 1480-1560
  • ACT range
  • Cornell 33-35
  • NYU 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Cornell Required
  • NYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • NYU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • NYU $62,796
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • NYU $62,796
  • Room & board
  • Cornell $19,428
  • NYU $23,530
  • Average net price
  • Cornell $26,361
  • NYU $30,325
  • Average grant aid
  • Cornell $61,779
  • NYU $53,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cornell 48%
  • NYU 37%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cornell 93%
  • NYU 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cornell $98,400
  • NYU $76,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cornell 87%
  • NYU 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cornell $12,000
  • NYU $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Cornell $124
  • NYU $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cornell 9:1
  • NYU 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • NYU
    • Business (19%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (18%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Location
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • NYU New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Cornell Small City
  • NYU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cornell 26,793
  • NYU 56,832
  • Type
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • NYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cornell #19
  • NYU #43

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with New York University in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

New York University is larger than Cornell based on total student enrollment (56,832 students vs. 26,793 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); New York University is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. New York University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; New York University 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 17.4% lower than at New York University ($19,428 vs. $23,530).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Cornell than at New York University (about $6,518 more per year; $69,314 vs. $62,796).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell University than at New York University (48% vs. 37%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 14.6% larger than aid received by New York University students ($61,779 vs. $53,901).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Cornell students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at NYU (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Cornell, test optional at NYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cornell average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at NYU (3.79).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 55.4% at NYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $11,250 lower median loan debt than NYU graduates ($12,000 vs. $23,250).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NYU graduates ($124 vs. $240).
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NYU students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 77%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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