Cornell vs Temple - 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, Temple admits 80.5%.
The more international environment is at Cornell (10.3% international students) than Temple (4.4%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Cornell awards international students $84,351 on average, Temple awards $16,607.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Cornell starts at $96,268 against $58,550 and ends at $32,043 against $40,717 (Temple).
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 80.45% 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 $64K). Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 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 Temple for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Cornell is more selective (8.41% vs 80.45% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1250).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $64K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 75%).
Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 vs $72,270); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Temple |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 80.45% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 15% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.42 |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 40,817 |
| International students | 10.3% | 4.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $64K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $41K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $92K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 75% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 83% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $24,395 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $40,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $17,833 |
| % of need met | 100% | 60.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $41,808 |
| Application fee | $80 | $55 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 29,637 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Temple?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Temple accepts 80.45%.
Do Cornell or Temple graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Temple?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $40,144 per year at Temple.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Temple?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1250 at Temple; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Temple?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #401-500 for Temple.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Temple?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $17,833 at Temple.
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