Cornell University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 08/2026)

Cornell University is a private, not-for-profit Ivy League research university located in Ithaca, New York. Degrees offered range from bachelor’s to doctorates. This post will guide you through Cornell tuition, admissions requirements, acceptance rate, financial aid statistics, popular majors, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

Founded in 1865, Cornell University has a long list of “firsts”: It had the first professorship in the United States for musicology, the first undergraduate hospitality management degree, the first doctor of veterinary medicine degree, and much more.

Cornell University undergraduate tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year was $73,946. That’s up slightly from previous years, as you’ll see from these Cornell tuition figures:

•  2025-26: $71,266

•  2024-25: $68,380

•  2023-24: $65,204

•  2022-23: $63,200

Current on-campus room and board (2026-2027) is $21,348 (housing: $13,744, food: $7,604), compared to:

•  2025-26: $19,428

•  2024-25: $18,554

•  2023-24: $16,988

•  2022-23: $16,396

Estimated additional expenses for the 2026-27 school year are:

•  Books and supplies: $1,234

•  Mandatory fees (student activity and Cornell health): $1,024

•  Other expenses: $2,182

Estimated total expenses, on campus, are $99,734, a 7.6% increase over the previous year.

Financial Aid

Cornell University is “need-blind” during the admissions process, which means that a student’s ability to pay is not considered as part of the acceptance process. This can help students from lower- and middle-income families who can’t otherwise afford the cost of Cornell.

According to the most recent data, 56% of full-time beginning undergraduates received some sort of financial aid. More specifically:

•  Grants or scholarship aid: 48% received these funds, with the average award being $61,779

•  Federal grants: 17% received them, with an average award of $7,773

•  Pell grants: 17% received them, with an average award of $5,982

•  Other federal grants: 8% received them, with an average award of $3,992

•  State or local: 13% received them, with an average award of $3,827

•  Institutional: 47% received them, with an average award of $60,062

•  Student loan aid: 20% received aid, with an average award of $9,964

•  Federal student loans: 18% received aid, with an average award of $3,844

•  Other student loans: 12% received aid, with an average award of $10,712

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs such as tuition, books, and living expenses.

Recommended: Scholarship Search – College Scholarships Finder Tool

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education : Search for grants from colleges and universities by state.

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) : A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid.

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Twelve percent of Cornell University students received other student loans (not federal) according to the most recent data, with an average amount of $10,712. Cornell provides information about private student loans but does not provide specifics.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

At the 2026-27 tuition of $73,946, four years at Cornell equals $295,784. This does not account for increases in tuition. Total expenses for a student are around $99,734 annually. The average cost of attendance for a four-year private institution was $65,470 in the 2025-26 school year.

Here’s some New York Student Loan and Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Cornell University tuition for the 2026-27 academic year is $73,946 plus:

•  Books and supplies: $1,234

•  Other expenses: $2,182

Graduate Tuition and Fees

In the 2025-26 academic year, graduate-level tuition was $29,500 with fees of $660.

The average private, nonprofit graduate school cost is $20,735 per year, making Cornell University almost twice as expensive. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

For the 2026-27 academic year, those who want to earn college credit without enrolling in a degree program can study at Cornell part-time for a cost of $2,013 per credit hour.

Campus Housing Expenses

Cornell campus housing costs $13,744 in 2026-27. The university provides the names of neighborhoods to consider for apartment living, and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,490/month, while a studio apartment averages $1,355. It’s important to note that when renting an apartment, the lease will typically be for a full year instead of just the academic year.

Check out this resource to learn more about off-campus housing.

Cornell University Acceptance Rate

In fall 2025, 72,523 students applied, with 6,077 accepted. So the Cornell acceptance rate is 8.4%.

Admission Requirements

Along with an undergraduate application, Cornell University requires official transcripts, a counselor recommendation, two teacher recommendations, and a mid-year report. Cornell requires SAT/ACT scores for fall 2026 and beyond.

The deadline for first-year students is November 1 for Early Decision and January 2 for Regular Decision. You can apply to Cornell University here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Cornell University is ending its policy of having no SAT/ACT requirements with the fall 2026 application process. For fall 2024, 40% of first-time undergraduates submitted SAT scores, while 13% submitted ACT scores. These are the 25th and 75th percentile scores:

Popular Majors at Cornell University

In the 2024-25 academic year, the university conferred 4,187 bachelor’s degrees in more than two dozen areas of study. Here are some of the most popular majors.

1. Computer Science

Undergraduates study programming, algorithms, theory, systems, and more. Electives range from artificial intelligence to linguistics, computer engineering, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 516

2. Hotel/Motel Administration

At Cornell, undergraduates receive a well-rounded education in hospitality that includes traditional coursework along with an immersive experience through hands-on learning opportunities.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 221

3. Labor and Industrial Relations

Cornell University has the country’s largest undergraduate program in this discipline, one that focuses on “people, policies and processes in organizations and the workplace.”

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 256

4. Animal Science

This degree prepares students for study in veterinary medicine or careers in animal production, biotechnology, and conservation. The program is nationally recognized for its work in animal breeding and genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth, behavior, and management.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 82

5. Biology

Students can choose between the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or the College of Arts and Sciences for this degree and select among 13 different concentrations.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 290

6. Human Biology

The Biology, Health and Society major gives students a strong background in human biology while they investigate health issues from a social science perspective and consider how social, psychological, economic, cultural, design, and policy influences can impact an individual’s health and well-being.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 113

7. Information Technology

This degree focuses on learning to design and optimize digital and AI-driven solutions, while creating technology that makes sense of an increasingly connected world.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 251

8. Mechanical Engineering

This curriculum equips students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset they need to tackle real-world challenges, drive innovation, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 171

9. Psychology

In this field, students gain familiarity with the important determinants of human behavior, while developing critical thinking skills. Students can choose to concentrate in behavioral and evolutionary neuroscience; perception, cognition, and development; or social and personality psychology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 84

10. Political Science/Government

A political science/government degree can prepare undergraduates for multiple career choices: from business to law or public service. Students receive a broad education while also participating in nuanced discussions.

Undergraduate degrees in 2024-25: 123

Learn more about the fields of study you can major in at Cornell here .

Graduation Rate

Cornell’s graduation rate for the fall 2018 cohort is as follows:

•  6 years: 95%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Median earnings for Cornell graduates in 2025 totaled $89,061. When compared to the national average for bachelor’s degree graduates of $67,000, Cornell graduates’ earnings are about 25% higher.