Cornell University

Cornell University admitted 8.4% of applicants university-wide (6,077 of 72,523).

Early Decision applicants were admitted at 18.8%, vs 8.4% overall — ED is a binding commitment.

Of 6,077 admitted students, 3,827 enrolled (63.0% yield).

Cornell University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C1–C2 · 2025 — Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

SAT (mid-50%)

1490–1550

ACT (mid-50%)

33–35

GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)

3.50–3.99

Cornell University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C9–C12 · 2025 — Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Published cost of attendance: $99,734/yr.

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

Cornell University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections G–H · 2025

Cornell University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

The Common App personal essay is required (one of 7 shared prompts), plus 14 college-specific supplements:

1. <strong>College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Question</strong><br><br>By applying to Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), you are also applying for direct entry into one of our 20 majors. From here, you would be part of a community dedicated to purpose-driven science; working within your major and across disciplines to tackle the complex challenges of our time.&nbsp;<br><br>Why are you drawn to studying the major you have selected and specifically, why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell CALS? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals influenced your choice.&nbsp;500 words · Required
2. <strong>Architecture, Art and Planning Question</strong><br><br>How do your interests directly connect with your intended major at the College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP)? Why architecture (B.Arch), art (BFA) or urban and regional studies (URS)? B.Arch applicants, please provide an example of how a creative project or passion sparks your motivation to pursue a 5-year professional degree program. BFA applicants, you may want to consider how you could integrate a range of interests and available resources at Cornell into a coherent art practice. URS students, you may want to emphasize your enthusiasm and depth of interest in the study of urban and regional issues.650 words · Required
3. <strong>College of Arts &amp; Sciences Question</strong><br><br>At the College of Arts and Sciences, curiosity will be your guide. Discuss how your passion for learning is shaping your academic journey, and what areas of study or majors excite you and why. Your response should convey how your interests align with the College, and how you would take advantage of the opportunities and curriculum in Arts and Sciences.650 words · Required
4. <strong>College of Human Ecology Question</strong><br><br>Identify a challenge in your greater community or in the career/industry in which you are interested. Share how the CHE education, your CHE major of choice, as well as the breadth of CHE majors, will help you address that challenge. (Refer to our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.human.cornell.edu/admissions/undergraduate/firstyearapplicationtips">essay application tips</a> before you begin.)600 words · Required
5. <strong>School of Industrial and Labor Relations Question</strong><br><br>Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should show us that your interests align with the ILR School.650 words · Required
6. <strong>Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Question</strong><br><br>What kind of business student are you? Using your personal, academic, or volunteer/work experiences, describe the topics or issues that you care about and why they are important to you. Your response should convey how your interests align with the school to which you are applying within the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business (the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management or the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration).650 words · Required
7. <strong>Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy Question</strong><br><br>Why are you interested in studying policy, and why do you want to pursue this major at Cornell’s Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy? You should share how your current interests, related experiences, and/or goals have influenced your choice of policy major.650 words · Required
8. <strong>College of Engineering Questions</strong><br><br><i>All engineering applicants are required to write two long essays and four short essays. The first two essays have a 200 word limit each while the remaining four have a 100 word limit each.&nbsp;</i><br><br>Fundamentally, engineering is the application of math, science, and technology to solve complex problems. Why do you want to study engineering?200 words · Required
9. <strong>Cornell University Question</strong><br><br>We all contribute to, and are influenced by, the communities that are meaningful to us. Share how you’ve been shaped by one of the communities you belong to.<br><br>Define community in the way that is most meaningful to you. This community example can be drawn from your family, school, workplace, activities or interests, or any other group you belong to.350 words · Required
10. Why do you think you would love to study at Cornell Engineering?200 words · Required
11. What brings you joy?100 words · Required
12. What do you believe you will contribute to the Cornell Engineering community beyond what you've already detailed in your application? What unique voice will you bring?&nbsp;100 words · Required
13. What is one activity, club, team, organization, work/volunteer experience or family responsibility that is especially meaningful to you? Please briefly tell us about its significance for you.100 words · Required
14. What is one award you have received or achievement you have attained that has meant the most to you? Please briefly describe its importance to you.100 words · Required

Draft these in the free Essay Coach

Prompts from the Common App member feed · verified Jul 3, 2026

Median earnings

$104,043

Median earnings · 10 years after entry

Graduation rate

95.4%

Within 150% of normal time

First-year retention

97.8%

Return for year two · CDS Section B

Median debt

$14,000

At graduation

Cornell University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023 — Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

• U.S. News National: #12
• WSJ: #18
• Forbes: #14
• Niche: #21
• QS: #16

• 2027-01-02Regular Decision — Standard deadline

Cornell University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C21–C22 · 2025

Largest degree fields: Computer & information sciences (19%), Engineering (15%), Business & marketing (11%).

Student–faculty ratio: 12:1 · 53% of class sections have under 20 students.

Cornell University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections E, F, I · 2025 — Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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