Cornell University Acceptance Rate (8.8%) & SAT/ACT Scores

Q: How many applicants get into Cornell University?

Cornell University's acceptance rate was 8.8% for fall 2024: it admitted 5,516 of 62,993 first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Acceptance rate: 8.8% for fall 2024

SAT, middle 50%: 730–770 reading and writing, 770–800 math

ACT, middle 50%: 33–35 composite

Average net price: $26,455 a year (2022–23)

Cornell University GPA calculator

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Add a test score to compare it with what Cornell University reported: an acceptance rate of 8.8% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 33–35.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Cornell University reviews each application.

Cornell University GPA requirements

Cornell University doesn't require a high school GPA from first-year applicants but considers one if it's submitted, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and Cornell University hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

Cornell University acceptance rate

Cornell University admitted 5,516 of 62,993 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 8.8%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Cornell University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Ithaca, New York, with 16,128 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered Cornell University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test	25th percentile	Median	75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing	730	750	770
SAT Math	770	790	800
ACT Composite	33	34	35
ACT English	35	35	36
ACT Math	33	35	35

40% submitted SAT scores and 13% submitted ACT scores, as Cornell University reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1535 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What Cornell University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factor	Status
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.	Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.	Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.	Required
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.	Considered if submitted
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.	Considered if submitted
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.	Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.	Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.	Considered if submitted
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.	Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.	Considered if submitted
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.	Considered if submitted

Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with Cornell University's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

Cornell University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $26,455 a year at Cornell University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into Cornell University?

Very hard: fewer than 1 in 10 applicants got in, which makes it one of the hardest colleges to get into. Cornell University admitted 8.8% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

Does Cornell University require the SAT or ACT?

Check Cornell University's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. Cornell University was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 40% sent SAT scores and 13% sent ACT scores.

What SAT and ACT scores do Cornell University students have?

The middle 50% of Cornell University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 730–770 in reading and writing and 770–800 in math; ACT composite 33–35, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

How important is GPA for getting into Cornell University?

It's one factor among several: Cornell University requires high school record, recommendations and essay or personal statement. It considers high school GPA, high school class rank, college preparatory program, test scores, other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status if you send them. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Is a 3.5 GPA good enough for Cornell University?

GPA alone can't tell you here. Cornell University admitted 8.8% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It considers a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

What GPA do you need to get into Cornell University?

Cornell University doesn't require a high school GPA but considers one if submitted, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

How many applicants get into Cornell University?

Cornell University's acceptance rate was 8.8% for fall 2024: it admitted 5,516 of 62,993 first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Can you get college credit for AP scores at Cornell University?

Yes. Cornell University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Does Cornell University consider legacy status?

Yes. Cornell University considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What is the average net price at Cornell University?

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $26,455 a year at Cornell University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Before you apply, check Cornell University's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

College Navigator: Cornell UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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