Cornell vs Northeastern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $84,351 (Cornell) and $24,539 (Northeastern).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Cornell starts at $96,268 against $92,337 and ends at $32,043 against $45,782 (Northeastern).
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Cornell: $104K against $93K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.2% and 8.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 8.41% 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 $93K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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 graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Northeastern for: higher selectivity, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 8.41% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1490).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $93K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 90.5%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $72,270); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 98,425 |
| International students | 10.3% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 100% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Cornell or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $93K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Northeastern?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $46,555 at Northeastern.
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