Central Florida vs Cornell - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Cornell: 8.4% against 44.7% (Central Florida).
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.3% (Cornell) against 3.3% (Central Florida).
Real money goes to international students at Cornell ($84,351 on average), while Central Florida stops at $928.
The tuition gap is $48,194 a year: $24,076 (Central Florida) against $72,270.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Cornell is the more selective of the two (8.41% vs 44.71% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #12). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $72,270 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Cornell for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Cornell is more selective (8.41% vs 44.71% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1260).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $58K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $72,270); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Central Florida | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #12 |
| Rank · THE | - | #20 |
| Acceptance rate | 44.71% | 8.41% |
| Yield rate | 33.5% | 63.9% |
| Median SAT | 1260 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.16 | - |
| Number of applications | 55,135 | 65,612 |
| International students | 3.3% | 10.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $67K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $166K |
| Graduation rate | 78% | 95.4% |
| Retention rate | 92.3% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $18,190 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $24,076 | $72,270 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,814 | $64,225 |
| % of need met | 65% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,529 | $29,441 |
| Application fee | $30 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 69,338 | 26,793 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Central Florida or Cornell?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Central Florida accepts 44.71% of applicants, while Cornell accepts 8.41%.
Do Central Florida or Cornell graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Central Florida vs Cornell?
Sticker-price tuition is $24,076 per year at Central Florida and $72,270 per year at Cornell.
What SAT score do you need for Central Florida or Cornell?
The median admitted SAT score is 1260 at Central Florida and 1540 at Cornell; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Central Florida or Cornell?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Central Florida vs #12 for Cornell.
Which university offers more financial aid - Central Florida or Cornell?
The average aid package is $11,814 at Central Florida and $64,225 at Cornell.
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