Cornell vs. EC

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Elmira College is in Elmira, NY (Small City setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; Elmira College 11:1.

Cornell vs. EC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or EC? 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 Elmira College than Cornell ($23,682 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 25.1% lower than at Cornell University ($14,550 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 77.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $30,338 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.8% higher at Cornell than at Elmira College (about $30,338 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Cornell University (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 114.7% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($61,779 vs. $28,780).

Cornell vs. EC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell or EC? 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 EC and Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 300 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; Elmira College 1090/1385.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Elmira College 26/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; EC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 12.3% at EC.

Cornell vs. EC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and EC? 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $52,400 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($12,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($124 vs. $279).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 72%)

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.