Virginia vs Cornell — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Cornell is the more selective of the two (8.8% vs 16.8% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #12). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $87K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 vs $69,314 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 Virginia for: a higher graduation rate, higher retention, 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 (8.8% vs 16.8% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1535 vs 1480).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $87K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 95.4%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 vs $69,314); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($62,257 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Virginia | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #12 |
| Rank · THE | — | #20 |
| Acceptance rate | 16.8% | 8.8% |
| Yield rate | 40% | 66% |
| Median SAT | 1480 | 1535 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 58,951 | 67,846 |
| International students | 12% | 26% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $87K | $104K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $101K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $130K | $166K |
| Graduation rate | 95.6% | 95.4% |
| Retention rate | 97.9% | 97.8% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $59,512 | $69,314 |
| Avg. aid package | $37,123 | $62,257 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,137 | $27,244 |
| Application fee | $75 | — |
| Enrollment | 26,470 | 19,027 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Virginia or Cornell?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Virginia accepts 16.8% of applicants, while Cornell accepts 8.8%.
Do Virginia or Cornell graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $87K.
How much is tuition at Virginia vs Cornell?
Sticker-price tuition is $59,512 per year at Virginia and $69,314 per year at Cornell.
What SAT score do you need for Virginia or Cornell?
The median admitted SAT score is 1480 at Virginia and 1535 at Cornell; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Virginia or Cornell?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Virginia vs #12 for Cornell.
Which university offers more financial aid — Virginia or Cornell?
The average aid package is $37,123 at Virginia and $62,257 at Cornell.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina