More selective than 99% of New York colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
37% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 12% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Cornell University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Cornell University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Cornell University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Interview
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
9,720 offered a spot, 6,598 took it, 254 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Cornell University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Cornell University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 730 | 770 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1500 | 1570 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Cornell University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 9% | 730–770 | 770–800 | 33–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 8% | 720–770 | 760–790 | 33–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Cornell University compared with other New York colleges?
Cornell University has the 2nd-lowest acceptance rate of 140 New York colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 4% | 96% | $21,590 |
| 2 | Cornell University | 9% | 95% | $28,690 |
| 3 | Barnard College | 9% | 93% | $28,800 |
| 4 | The Juilliard School | 9% | 93% | $43,571 |
| 5 | New York University | 9% | 88% | $37,050 |
| 6 | United States Military Academy | 12% | 87% | — |
| 7 | Hamilton College | 14% | 91% | $28,985 |
| 8 | Colgate University | 14% | 91% | $28,786 |
| 9 | Webb Institute | 14% | 88% | $73,043 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All New York colleges →
Who enrolls at Cornell University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Cornell University admissions questions
What is the Cornell University acceptance rate?
Cornell University accepts 9% of applicants, about 1 in 11. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 5,358 of 65,635 applicants were admitted.
Does Cornell University require the SAT or ACT?
Cornell University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 37% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell University?
The middle 50% of Cornell University enrolled first-year students scored 1500–1570 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Cornell University?
66% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (3,537 of 5,358).
What does Cornell University look for in applicants?
Cornell University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities. Important: class rank, high school GPA. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, interview, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
How many students get off the Cornell University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 9,720 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 6,598 accepted one and 254 were admitted (4% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Cornell University getting harder to get into?
Cornell University accepted 9% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 8% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Cornell University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Cornell University overview