Cornell vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Cornell turns away the overwhelming majority (8.4%).
Average aid for an international student is $84,351 (Cornell) and $4,456 (Houston).
The cheaper tuition belongs to Houston: $27,926 against $72,270, or $44,344 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Cornell: $104K against $62K.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 73.92% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #201-300). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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 Houston 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 73.92% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1240).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $62K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $72,270); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 31,716 |
| International students | 10.3% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 87% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 100% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Houston?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Cornell or Houston graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Houston?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Houston?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $16,450 at Houston.
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