Cornell vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Purchase College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 3,333 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Cornell vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Purchase College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY at Purchase College than Cornell ($18,211 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 15.4% lower than at Cornell University ($16,436 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 674.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $60,361 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 261% higher at Cornell than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $50,111 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY at Purchase College than at Cornell University (72% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 492.2% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($61,779 vs. $10,432).

Cornell vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell or Purchase College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Purchase College and Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 260 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Cornell vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Purchase College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $58,200 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than Purchase College graduates ($12,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purchase College graduates ($124 vs. $232).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.