Cornell vs Penn — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 8.8% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #14). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $104K). Penn has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,686 vs $69,314 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, lower graduate debt.
Choose Penn for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 8.8% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1535).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $104K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 95.4%).
Penn has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,686 vs $69,314); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $62,257).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #14 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 8.8% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 66% | 68% |
| Median SAT | 1535 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 67,846 | 65,236 |
| International students | 26% | 24% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $111K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $132K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 96.5% |
| Retention rate | 97.8% | 98.8% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $15,715 |
| Tuition · year | $69,314 | $68,686 |
| Avg. aid package | $62,257 | $70,971 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,244 | $32,558 |
| Application fee | — | $75 |
| Enrollment | 19,027 | 24,023 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Penn?
It's harder to get into Penn. Cornell accepts 8.8% of applicants, while Penn accepts 5.4%.
Do Cornell or Penn graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $104K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Penn?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,314 per year at Cornell and $68,686 per year at Penn.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Penn?
The median admitted SAT score is 1535 at Cornell and 1553 at Penn; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Cornell or Penn?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #14 for Penn.
Which university offers more financial aid — Cornell or Penn?
The average aid package is $62,257 at Cornell and $70,971 at Penn.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina
Duke