Cornell Demographics & Diversity
- 10/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Ithaca, NY
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Racial Demographics & Diversity
Racial Diversity
Racial Diversity
Very HighRacial Diversity Index: 73%
Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Cornell are predominantly White with a smaller Asian population. The school has very high racial diversity. 59% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.
Gender Demographics & Diversity
Gender Diversity
Gender Diversity
Very HighGender Diversity Index: 50%
There are 11% more female students than male students enrolled at Cornell University with a gender ratio of 53% women to 47% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Cornell has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.
Geographic Diversity
Geographic Diversity
Geographic Diversity
HighGeographic Diversity Index: 67%
Cornell draws 32 percent of students from New York, 55 percent from other states, and 10 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside New York, including other U.S. states and other countries.
Economic Diversity
Median Household Income
Median Household Income
$80,346 per year17% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.
Total Enrollment
Total Enrollment
Total enrollment
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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190415.
Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.
Last updated: August 2026