Cornell University

www.cornell.edu/

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2020 Undergraduate Tuition

$58,586

3.6% growth from 2019

2020 Average Net Price

$27,522

After Financial Aid

2018 Student Loan

0.969%

Default Rate

2020 Acceptance Rate

10.7%

51,500 Applicants

2020 Enrolled Students

23,620

97.3% Full-Time

2020 Graduation Rate

95.4%

3,065 Graduates

About

Cornell University is a higher education institution located in Tompkins County, NY. In 2020, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Cornell University were Computer Science (396 degrees awarded), General Biological Sciences (294 degrees), and Labor & Industrial Relations (270 degrees).

In 2020, 8,245 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Cornell University. 49.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 50.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (2,654 degrees), 2.14 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1241 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Cornell University is $58,586, which is $30,023 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

Photo by generalising

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Cornell University is $58,586, which is $30,023 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $27,522.

In 2020, 47% of undergraduate students attending Cornell University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 33% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$58,586

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2020, the cost of tuition at Cornell University was $58,586. The cost of tuition at Cornell University is $30,023 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Cornell University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$27,522

2020 Value

4.84%

1 Year Growth

In 2020 Cornell University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $27,522. Between 2019 and 2020, the average net price of Cornell University grew by 4.84%.

This chart compares the average net price of Cornell University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$15,246

Room and Board

$970

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Cornell University was of $15,246 in 2020. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $970. The cost of room and board increased by 3.25% between 2019 and 2020. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 15.7% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Cornell University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

47%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

33%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

47% of undergraduate students at Cornell University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2020. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2019, when 47% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Cornell University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.969%

2018 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2018 the default rate for borrower's at Cornell University was 0.969%, which represents 25 out of the 2580 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Cornell University received 51,500 undergraduate applications in 2020, which represents a 4.86% annual growth. Out of those 51,500 applicants, 5,514 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 10.7% acceptance rate.

There were 23,620 students enrolled at Cornell University in 2020, and 73% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Cornell University has an overall enrollment yield of 58.9%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

10.7%

Acceptance Rate in 2020

5,514

Accepted Out of 51,500

In 2020, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Cornell University was 10.7% (5,514 admissions from 51,500 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2019, which was 10.9%. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of applicants grew by 4.86%, while admissions grew by 3.45%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Cornell University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

73%

Submission Percentage

2,361

Scores Submitted

73% of enrolled first-time students at Cornell University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Cornell University has a total enrollment of 23,620 students. The full-time enrollment at Cornell University is 22,975 students and the part-time enrollment is 645. This means that 97.3% of students enrolled at Cornell University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Cornell University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 33.6% White, 16.6% Asian, 11.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.79% Black or African American, 3.98% Two or More Races, 0.237% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.102% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Cornell University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (17.5%), followed by White Male (17.2%) and Asian Female (12.2%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Male (16.7%), followed by White Female (14.8%) and Asian Male (4.88%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

97.3%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Cornell University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 23,620 students. The full-time enrollment at Cornell University is 22,975 and the part-time enrollment is 645. This means that 97.3% of students enrolled at Cornell University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.5% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Cornell University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

96%

2020 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Cornell University was 96%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (85%), Cornell University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Cornell University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity

White
7,937
Asian
3,926
Hispanic or Latino
2,698

The enrolled student population at Cornell University is 33.6% White, 16.6% Asian, 11.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.79% Black or African American, 3.98% Two or More Races, 0.237% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.102% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 50% White, 15% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.69% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,526 students (6.46%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2020, 93 fewer women than men received degrees from Cornell University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Cornell University is white (2,654 degrees awarded). There were 2.14 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1241 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Cornell University is Computer Science (396 degrees awarded), followed by General Biological Sciences (294 degrees) and Labor & Industrial Relations (270 degrees).

The most specialized majors across all degree types at Cornell University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Agriculture (630 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (232 degrees), and Engineering (1,539 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Cornell University are Software developers (386,415 people), Other managers (379,450 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (334,553 people), Civil engineers (254,871 people), and Mechanical engineers (185,548 people).

The most specialized majors at Cornell University are Agriculture (630 degrees awarded), Architecture and Related Services (232 degrees), Engineering (1,539 degrees), Legal (332 degrees), and Physical Sciences (281 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Cornell University are Surgeons, Physicians, Derrick, rotary drill, & service unit operators, & roustabouts, oil, gas, & mining, Dentists, and Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

Common Industries by Major

Architectural, engineering & related services

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Cornell University are Architectural, engineering & related services (558,131 people), Computer Systems Design (435,236 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (315,370 people), Construction (308,433 people), and Electronic component & product manufacturing, n.e.c. (157,396 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Cornell University.

Most Common

Computer Science
396 degree-majorss awarded
General Biological Sciences
294 degree-majorss awarded
Labor & Industrial Relations
270 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Cornell University was Computer Science with 396 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Cornell University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

4,169

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2020

4,076

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2020

In 2020, 4,169 degrees were awarded to men at Cornell University, which is 1.02 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,076).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Cornell University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2020, 472 degrees were awarded to men at Cornell University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 2.07 times more than the 228 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2020, 240 degrees were awarded to women at Cornell University in Computer Science, which is 0.529 times less than the 454 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

88%

100% Completion Time

95%

150% Completion Time

In 2020, 88% of students graduating from Cornell University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 95% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 95% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (98%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Cornell University is Female and Asian (98% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.4%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 5.38% of graduates (165 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
2,654 degrees awarded
Asian
1,241 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
702 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Cornell University is white (2,654 degrees awarded). There were 2.14 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1241 degrees).

7.08% of degree recipients (584 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic

White Male
1,359 degrees awarded
White Female
1,295 degrees awarded
Asian Female
631 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Cornell University is white male (1,359 degrees awarded). There were 1.05 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,295 degrees).

Operations

Cornell University has an endowment valued at nearly $6.88B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $140M (2.04%), compared to the 3.43% average return ($10.5M on $307M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2020, Cornell University had a total salary expenditure of $2.46B. Cornell University employs 743 Professors, 394 Associate professors, and 353 Assistant professors. Most academics at Cornell University are Male Professors (539), Male Associate professors(225), and Female Professors (204).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Cornell University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 1432 employees, Service, with 1242 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 999 employees.

Endowment

$6.88B

2020 Endowment

1.32%

decline from 2019

Cornell University has an endowment valued at about $6.88B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The endowment of Cornell University declined 1.32% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $6.58B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Cornell University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$348M - Federal
$42.3M - State
$1.55M - Local

As of 2020, Cornell University received $348M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $42.3M from state grants and contracts, and $1.55M from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$1.06B

2020 Salaries

2.4%

growth from 2019

In 2020, Cornell University paid a median of $1.06B in salaries, which represents 43% of their overall expenditure ($2.46B) and a 2.4% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 5.2% growth from 2018 and a 4.18% growth from 2017.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 238M (42.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$267M

Instructional Salaries

1,850

Number of Employees

In 2020, Cornell University paid a total of $267M to 1,850 employees working as instructors, which represents 25.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $70.3M (29.6%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

743 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

1432 Employees

In 2020, the most common positions for instructional staff at Cornell University were Professor with 743 employees; Associate professor with 394 employees; and Associate professor with 353 employees.

In 2020, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Cornell University were Office and Administrative Support with 1,432 employees; Service with 1,242 employees; and Business and Financial Operations with 999 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Male Associate professor
Female Professor

In 2020, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Cornell University was Male Professor with 539 employees, Male Associate professor with 225 employees, and Female Professor with 204 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Cornell University.