Cornell vs Washington University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Cornell admits 8.4% of applicants, while Washington University admits 12.1%.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Cornell awards international students $84,351 on average, Washington University awards $68,438.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Cornell: $104K against $86K.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1540 and 1540.
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 12.1% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #23). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $86K). Washington University has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,594 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 Washington University for: lower tuition, a larger aid package, 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 12.1% acceptance).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $86K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 94.3%).
Washington University has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,594 vs $72,270); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $64,225).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 32,754 |
| International students | 10.3% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 95% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do Cornell or Washington University graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Washington University?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Washington University?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $75,604 at Washington University.
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