Connecticut vs Cornell - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Cornell admits 8.4% of applications, Connecticut admits 52.4%.
Average aid for an international student is $84,351 (Cornell) and $17,282 (Connecticut).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Cornell starts at $96,268 against $64,100 and ends at $32,043 against $42,565 (Connecticut).
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Cornell: $104K against $74K.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 52.39% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #12). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $74K). Connecticut has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,004 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 Connecticut 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 52.39% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1340).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $74K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 83.3%).
Connecticut has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,004 vs $72,270); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $21,535).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Connecticut | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #12 |
| Rank · THE | - | #20 |
| Acceptance rate | 52.39% | 8.41% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 63.9% |
| Median SAT | 1340 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 55,479 | 65,612 |
| International students | 7.4% | 10.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $74K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $67K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $109K | $166K |
| Graduation rate | 83.3% | 95.4% |
| Retention rate | 92% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $44,004 | $72,270 |
| Avg. aid package | $21,535 | $64,225 |
| % of need met | 61.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,506 | $29,441 |
| Application fee | $80 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 28,306 | 26,793 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Connecticut or Cornell?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Connecticut accepts 52.39% of applicants, while Cornell accepts 8.41%.
Do Connecticut or Cornell graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $74K.
How much is tuition at Connecticut vs Cornell?
Sticker-price tuition is $44,004 per year at Connecticut and $72,270 per year at Cornell.
What SAT score do you need for Connecticut or Cornell?
The median admitted SAT score is 1340 at Connecticut and 1540 at Cornell; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Connecticut or Cornell?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Connecticut vs #12 for Cornell.
Which university offers more financial aid - Connecticut or Cornell?
The average aid package is $21,535 at Connecticut and $64,225 at Cornell.
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