Wyoming vs Cornell — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Cornell is the more selective of the two (8.8% vs 96.9% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#701-800 vs #12). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $57K). Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,178 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 Wyoming for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 96.9% acceptance); Cornell has a higher median SAT (1535 vs 1147).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $57K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 58.8%).
Wyoming has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,178 vs $69,314); Cornell offers a larger average aid package ($62,257 vs $12,129).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Wyoming | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #701-800 | #12 |
| Rank · THE | — | #20 |
| Acceptance rate | 96.9% | 8.8% |
| Yield rate | 23.8% | 66% |
| Median SAT | 1147 | 1535 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.50 | — |
| Number of applications | 6,217 | 67,846 |
| International students | 4% | 26% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $104K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $54K | $101K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $81K | $166K |
| Graduation rate | 58.8% | 95.4% |
| Retention rate | 79% | 97.8% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $24,178 | $69,314 |
| Avg. aid package | $12,129 | $62,257 |
| % of need met | 57.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,921 | $27,244 |
| Application fee | $40 | — |
| Enrollment | 10,813 | 19,027 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Wyoming or Cornell?
It's harder to get into Cornell. Wyoming accepts 96.9% of applicants, while Cornell accepts 8.8%.
Do Wyoming or Cornell graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $57K.
How much is tuition at Wyoming vs Cornell?
Sticker-price tuition is $24,178 per year at Wyoming and $69,314 per year at Cornell.
What SAT score do you need for Wyoming or Cornell?
The median admitted SAT score is 1147 at Wyoming and 1535 at Cornell; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Wyoming or Cornell?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #701-800 for Wyoming vs #12 for Cornell.
Which university offers more financial aid — Wyoming or Cornell?
The average aid package is $12,129 at Wyoming and $62,257 at Cornell.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern
North carolina