Iowa State vs Cornell - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Iowa State accepts most of the applications it receives (88.7%), while Cornell turns away the overwhelming majority (8.4%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 10.3% (Cornell) against 3.7% (Iowa State).
Real money goes to international students at Cornell ($84,351 on average), while Iowa State stops at $12,582.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Iowa State: $28,881 against $72,270, or $43,389 less a year.
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 88.66% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #12). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 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 Iowa State for: lower tuition.
Choose Cornell for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Cornell is more selective (8.41% vs 88.66% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1250).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $63K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $72,270); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($64,225 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #12 |
| Rank · THE | - | #20 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 8.41% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 63.9% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | - |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 65,612 |
| International students | 3.7% | 10.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $67K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $166K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 95.4% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $72,270 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $64,225 |
| % of need met | 78% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $29,441 |
| Application fee | $40 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 26,793 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Cornell?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Cornell accepts 8.41%.
Do Iowa State or Cornell graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Cornell?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $72,270 per year at Cornell.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Cornell?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1540 at Cornell; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Cornell?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #12 for Cornell.
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Cornell?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $64,225 at Cornell.
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