Babson vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare Babson College in Wellesley, MA with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Babson based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 3,932 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA (Large Suburban setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• Babson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Babson College 15:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Babson vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Babson or Cornell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornell University than Babson ($26,361 vs. $32,019).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 9.8% lower than at Babson College ($19,428 vs. $21,550).
• Cornell University is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Babson (about $12,162 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at Cornell than at Babson College (about $12,162 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $57,152.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell University than at Babson College (48% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Babson College students ($61,779 vs. $48,173).

Babson vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Babson or Cornell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cornell and Babson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 80 points higher than at Babson (1460).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Babson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 1390/1530; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Babson College 31/34; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Babson - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Babson Jan 3, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Babson (3.79).
• Babson has a higher acceptance rate (17.1%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at Babson vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Babson vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Babson and Cornell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Babson College's (90%).
• Graduates from Babson College earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Cornell graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,500 vs. $98,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Babson graduates ($12,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Babson graduates ($124 vs. $268).
• More Babson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.