Cornell vs West Virginia - 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, West Virginia admits 89%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Cornell: 10.3% of students against 1.7% (West Virginia).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Cornell awards international students $84,351 on average, West Virginia awards $21,636.
The tuition gap is $43,662 a year: $28,608 (West Virginia) against $72,270.
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 89% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #501-600). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $56K). West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 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 West Virginia 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 89% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1110).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $56K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 64.7%).
West Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,608 vs $72,270); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $16,730).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 89% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1110 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 20,150 |
| International students | 10.3% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $56K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $36K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $84K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 64.7% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 83.4% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $22,500 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $28,608 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $16,730 |
| % of need met | 100% | 63% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $36,010 |
| Application fee | $80 | $65 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 23,643 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or West Virginia?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while West Virginia accepts 89%.
Do Cornell or West Virginia graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $56K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs West Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $28,608 per year at West Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or West Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1110 at West Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or West Virginia?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #501-600 for West Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or West Virginia?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $16,730 at West Virginia.
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