Avg Earnings (5yr)
$87,830
Acceptance Rate
8%
Graduation Rate
95%
Annual Tuition
$66,014
Quick answer
According to U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data on USACollegeData.com (2024-25 College Scorecard release), graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $104,043 ten years after entry — 92% above the national median. Acceptance rate 8.2%, average SAT score 1535, in-state tuition $66,014.
At a Glance
Total Students
15,935
Retention Rate
98%
Faculty Ratio
9
Financial Aid
24%
Median Debt
$14,000
Campus Setting
City
Institution Type
Private Non-Profit
Admissions: SAT & ACT Scores
Average SAT Score
1,535
SAT Reading/Writing (middle 50%)
730–770
SAT Math (middle 50%)
770–800
ACT Composite (middle 50%)
33–35
Institution Overview
Cornell University is a private, non-profit institution with an acceptance rate of 8.2%. The university has a student population of 15,935. The graduation rate is 95.2%, and the retention rate is 97.8%. The in-state tuition is $66,014, and 24.1% of students receive financial aid.
Graduates see strong financial returns. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $70,710. Five years after graduation, median earnings rise to $87,830, and ten years after graduation, median earnings are $104,043. The median debt for graduates is $14,000.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
Earning Projection Over Time
$71k
1 YEAR
$88k
5 YEARS
$104k
10 YEARS
Graduate Outcomes
One year after graduation, Cornell University alumni earn a median salary of $70,710. Five years after graduation, median earnings increase to $87,830, and after ten years, alumni earn a median of $104,043. The median debt for graduates is $14,000.
Cornell University has a high retention rate of 97.8% and a graduation rate of 95.2%. The university has an 8.2% acceptance rate and a student population of 15,935. A total of 24.1% of students receive financial aid, and in-state tuition is $66,014.
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