Cornell vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Cornell based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 26,793 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cornell vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Cornell ($23,570 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pennsylvania are 1.3% lower than at Cornell University ($19,174 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $628 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Cornell than at University of Pennsylvania (about $628 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at Cornell University (51% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 6% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($65,458 vs. $61,779).

Cornell vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell or Penn? 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 Penn and Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is the same as at Penn (1540).
• Incoming Penn students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 34 at Cornell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Cornell (3.9).
• Cornell has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 68% at Penn.

Cornell vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Penn? 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).

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Cornell University's (93%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $25,200 more per year than Cornell graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $98,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $8,633 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($12,000 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $89 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($124 vs. $213).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.