Cornell vs. Gettysburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Gettysburg College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Gettysburg College is in Gettysburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gettysburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; Gettysburg College 10:1.

Cornell vs. Gettysburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Gettysburg College? 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 Gettysburg College ($26,361 vs. $32,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gettysburg College are 17.1% lower than at Cornell University ($16,110 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gettysburg College (about $2,674 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at Cornell than at Gettysburg College (about $2,674 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $66,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gettysburg College than at Cornell University (98% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 25.6% larger than aid received by Gettysburg College students ($61,779 vs. $49,191).

Cornell vs. Gettysburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 170 points higher than at Gettysburg College (1370).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Gettysburg College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; Gettysburg College 1270/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Gettysburg College 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Gettysburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Gettysburg College Jan 15, 2027.
• Gettysburg College has a higher acceptance rate (38.9%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 15.6% at Gettysburg College.

Cornell vs. Gettysburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Gettysburg College? 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 Gettysburg College's (85%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $37,500 more per year than Gettysburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $60,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Gettysburg College graduates ($12,000 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gettysburg College graduates ($124 vs. $227).
• More Gettysburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.