Cornell vs Yale - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Yale starts at $98,900 against $96,268 and ends at $24,547 against $32,043 (Cornell).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (4.7% and 8.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1540 and 1540.
Tuition is practically the same ($72,270 against $72,500), so financial aid, not the sticker price, will decide the cost.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 8.41% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #11). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $101K). Cornell has lower sticker-price tuition ($72,270 vs $72,500 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: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
Choose Yale for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 8.41% acceptance).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $101K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 95.4%).
Cornell has lower sticker-price tuition ($72,270 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $64,225).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #11 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | #10 |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 4.7% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 68.4% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 50,264 |
| International students | 10.3% | 10.6% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $101K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $66K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $194K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 95.7% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 99.4% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $12,975 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $72,500 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $74,353 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $22,185 |
| Application fee | $80 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 15,657 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Yale?
It's harder to get into Yale. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Yale accepts 4.7%.
Do Cornell or Yale graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $101K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Yale?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $72,500 per year at Yale.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Yale?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1540 at Yale; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Yale?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #11 for Yale.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Yale?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $74,353 at Yale.
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