| Updated On - Sep 9, 2025
Cornell University is a highly respected private Ivy League university in Ithaca, New York, a small city environment. It is a large university with about 15,399 undergraduates (Fall 2021) and over 10,000 graduate students in 14 schools and colleges. Admissions are very competitive, with an undergraduate accept rate below 7%. The university has an overall acceptance rate of 8%. Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology, Business, and Computer Science are among the most popular majors. The Class of 2024 had a mean starting salary of $91,154 six months after commencement, while the six-year graduation rate is 94.8%. Cornell boasts more than 250,000 living alumni globally, performing excellently in areas like Engineering, Agriculture, Business, and academia.
The Cornell Tech is a graduate school and research facility of Cornell University, based on Roosevelt Island in New York City. It is a small campus with about 400 graduate students and no undergraduate programs. Admissions are extremely competitive, the university has an acceptance rate of 12. Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Information Systems, and the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA are the most popular programs. Since it is a graduate-only campus, six-year undergraduate graduation rates are not applicable. Career prospects are robust: the base salary for Johnson Cornell Tech MBA class of 2024 was $152,000, with many landing jobs in NYC's booming tech and startup scene.
| Cornell University | Cornell Tech | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | UG Programs -64 PG Programs -70 Doctorate Programs -78 | PG Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 8.0 % | 12.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-720 IELTS-7.5 SAT-1400 TOEFL-82 | IELTS-7 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 58586 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 20800 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 37534 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 60286 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 38027 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Cornell University is one of the top private universities in Ithaca, United States. It is ranked #20 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
| More than 90% of the students find employment within 3 months of graduation and most programs have 100% employment rate for the job seekers. The median salary offered to the students is around $135,000. |
| application requirements | Counselor recommendation, teacher evaluation, and midyear evaluations are mandatory along with the applications. | Submit official transcripts Submit entrance exam scores Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Johnson Graduate School of Management | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.7/10 Read 11 reviews | 8.8/10 Read 1 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -75518 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -60286 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Dec 1, 2025 (Priority Round Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Jan 26, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Apr 1, 2025 (Rolling Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Cornell University | Cornell Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | College |
| Established | 1865 | 2012 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 14:1:1 |
| Location Facts | University has 6 campuses; Main campus is located in Ithaca, New York; Other campuses are in Roosevelt Island, Qatar, Geneva, Washington DC and Rome | The Cornell Tech campus is New York City’s world-class tech destination.The Cornell Tech campus is just one subway stop from the Upper East Side, three subway stops from Grand Central, and 18 minutes from LaGuardia Airport. |
| Library | 11th largest library in USA; Over 8 million printed volumes, 1 million ebooks, 120,000 periodical titles, 8.5 million microfilms and microfiches, 71,000 cubic feet of manuscripts, 500,000 other materials such as motion pictures, sound recordings, etc. | Cornell Tech students have access to the excellent library resources of Cornell University. |
| Campus Life | Over 1,000 student organizations; awards and funding by Student and Campus Life (SCL) such as Cornell Commitment, Public Service Center, Cornell Career Services, Merrill Presidential Scholars Program, etc. | Student & Academic Affairs creates a student-centered culture which provides supportive resources to promote innovative learning, collaborative work culture, community engagement, resilience, and self-awareness.The House at Cornell Tech includes 350 units for students, staff, and faculty. The first high-rise residential building in the world built according to energy-efficient “Passive House” principles, it reaches 270 feet making it the tallest building — and an iconic marker — on the campus. As a Cornell Tech student, you have a variety of gym options to take advantage of. These fitness options are provided to you at a discounted rate. Various type of other facilities are also provided to the students so that they can learn and grow in the university. |
| Hostel | #Triple Room - $11312 #Double Room - $12296 #Single Room - $13926 | #Housing and Food - $38027 |
| Famous Alumni | Tsai Ing-wen (first female president of Taiwan), David Starr Jordan (founding president of Stanford University), Ratan Tata (CEO of Tata Group), Toni Morrison (Nobel laureate), Junot Diaz (Pulitzer Prize winner) | Miwa Takaki, Product lead at Pinterest Adebisi Oje, Global Director of Azure Sales at LiveData company WANdisco Willy Lin, Product Lead at Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) Khemi Cooper, Product Lead at LinkedIn |
| City Life | New York was ranked 34th in USA for economic growth and contributes over 8% to GDP. Financial activities, professional & business services, transportation, trade & utilities are the top contributors. | New York City is a place written about in songs, it has served as the backdrop for countless movies and it's inspired people worldwide with its grandiosity. Brimming with some of the nation's tallest buildings and historic landmarks, New York City is never short on spectacle. For centuries, New York City has been a leader in trade and culture, redefining everything from fashion trends to what a proper bagel with schmear should taste like. New York City is known for its fast-paced, around-the-clock lifestyle, which may be overwhelming for newcomers. Known as "the city that never sleeps," this relentless metropolis draws those seeking to advance their careers and push their limits. People come to New York City to pursue their dreams, achieve a better life and test the adage "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." Affordable housing is an ongoing problem in New York City, with one-bedroom apartments renting for several thousand dollars a month. Housing costs have risen throughout the boroughs – especially Brooklyn. |
| Weather |
Cornell University vs. Cornell Tech
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Cornell University is a world-renowned university, being 16th on the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 14th on the Center for World University Rankings 2025. It performs well in various fields, such as Engineering (12th on U.S. News 2025), Agriculture (2nd worldwide on QS 2025), and Business (15th on U.S. News 2025). Cornell Tech, being a specialized graduate campus of Cornell University, does not have individual global rankings but adds value to Cornell's global reputation in technology, applied research, and innovation. It is particularly well-represented in Computer Science, Data Science, and its tech MBA, with industry recognition in New York City's technology community.
General Information
Cornell University is a large, well-rounded institution with an enrollment of more than 26,000 students, featuring 80 undergraduate majors and 108 graduate fields of study in 14 colleges and schools. Its Ithaca campus offers a traditional college experience with numerous academic and research facilities. Cornell Tech, situated in downtown New York City, is an all-graduate campus with a tiny student population of approximately 400 and specialized master's and doctoral degrees in fields of technology, such as Computer Science, Information Systems, and a STEM-designated MBA. It concentrates on applied technology, entrepreneurship, and practical innovation and is fueled by close associations with NYC's tech sector.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Undergraduate admission at Cornell University is less than 7%, while graduate admissions differ considerably program by program. Average accepted undergraduate scores are in 1470–1550 SAT and 33–35 ACT ranges. Cornell Tech does not release official acceptance rates, though it is estimated that about 12–15% of its highly competitive graduate programs are accepted. Applicants are presumed to have technical or business experience, high GRE/GMAT scores, and professional experience.
Research Impact & Facilities
Cornell University also has a vast research apparatus, with more than 7 million volumes in the libraries, many research institutes, and international leadership in areas like Agriculture, Engineering, and Veterinary Medicine. Cornell Tech is dedicated to applied research and innovation, with state-of-the-art facilities such as the Tata Innovation Center facilitating interaction among academia, industry, and startups. Its research specialties are AI, Data Science, and Urban Tech, with special interest in use-oriented application and entrepreneurial activities.
Cost & Financial Aid
Cornell University's undergraduate tuition is $66,014, with graduate tuition from $30,000–$62,000 based on the program. Room and board average $18,402. Cornell University provides generous need-based aid, with 51% of undergrads receiving aid averaging $56,741 in grants. Cornell Tech's graduate tuition differs by program (e.g., approximately $60,000 for the MBA), with greater NYC living expenses (approx. $20,000). It offers merit-based scholarships and limited need-based aid, with priority given to supporting students pursuing careers in tech-driven fields.
Career Results & Alumni Achievement
Graduates from Cornell University have strong results, with a median starting salary of $91,154 (Class of 2024, six months after graduation) and a 94.8% six-year graduation rate. Its alumni base is more than 250,000 living members worldwide, with accomplishment in areas of Engineering, Business, Agriculture, and public service. Cornell Tech MBA graduates enjoy stellar career outcomes, with the Class of 2024 earning a median base salary of $152,000 and many finding positions in NYC's dynamic tech and startup scene. Some 73% of MBA graduates found employment and 8% started their own businesses, highlighting the campus's entrepreneurial spirit.
