At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Cornell University is the only Ivy League institution with a land-grant mission, offering an unusually broad range of programs from hotel administration to agriculture alongside top-ranked engineering and sciences. Located in Ithaca, New York, its seven undergraduate colleges provide both public and private school options within one university.
Mascot: Big Red
Notable Alumni
Bill Nye (The Science Guy)•Toni Morrison (Nobel Prize-winning author)•Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Supreme Court Justice)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
Cornell is the Ivy where Greek life actually matters — about a third of undergrads go Greek, and fraternity parties on West Campus and North Campus are the backbone of weekend social life. The 'work hard, play hard' ethos is intense on both sides: engineering and pre-med students grind during the week while Collegetown bars fill up Thursday through Saturday. The Ithaca winters and isolated location create a pressure-cooker effect that amplifies both the academic stress and the social bonding.
Dramatic natural setting with gorges, waterfalls, and sweeping views of Cayuga Lake. The mix of Gothic, Collegiate, and modern architecture is unified by an extraordinary landscape.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Cornell University Police operates 24/7 with electronic dorm access controls and escort services. Recent semesters have seen an uptick in burglaries, often linked to unlocked doors in residence halls.
Ithaca is a small, relatively safe college town in rural upstate New York. Violent crime is rare and the town has a strong community-oriented feel.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Multiple times daily, Monday-Saturday (limited capacity, advance registration required)
Duration: 75 minutes
Student-led tours focused on the undergraduate experience. Start at the Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center (616 Thurston Ave). Welcome Center hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-3pm (closed Saturdays in Dec-Jan). Visiting campus is not required and does not affect admission decisions.
Book a TourSelf-guided resources available from the Tang Welcome Center. Virtual tour and recorded information sessions also available online.
Tour ResourcesVisit late September through mid-October for peak fall foliage — Ithaca's gorges and Cayuga Lake turn spectacular. Late April through May is also excellent when the gorge trails reopen and campus is green. Avoid January-March when Ithaca is snowy and many gorge trails are closed, and note the Welcome Center closes for winter break (late December through mid-January).
Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) is just 4 miles from campus (~10 min drive). For visitors driving, park at Toboggan Lodge (38 Forest Home Dr) or the Forest Home Drive Parking Garage near the Welcome Center. Parking is a nominal fee on weekdays, free on weekends. The Hoy Road Parking Garage on central campus is also available weekends. Visitor info booths at campus entrances (Hoy Rd, Tower Rd, Campus Rd) open Mon-Fri 7:30am-5pm.
Location
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