Cornell vs Central Florida - 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 (#12 vs #401-500). 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 Cornell for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 | Cornell | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 55,135 |
| International students | 10.3% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 100% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | $80 | $30 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Cornell or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Central Florida?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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