Cornell vs. Middlebury

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Middlebury based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Middlebury College is in Middlebury, VT (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Middlebury College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; Middlebury College 8:1.

Cornell vs. Middlebury Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College than Cornell ($26,233 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middlebury College are 0.9% lower than at Cornell University ($19,250 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Middlebury (about $1,714 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Cornell than at Middlebury College (about $1,714 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $67,600.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell University than at Middlebury College (48% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Middlebury College students ($61,779 vs. $59,647).

Cornell vs. Middlebury Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 40 points higher than at Middlebury (1500).
• Incoming Cornell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Middlebury (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; Middlebury College 1445/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Middlebury College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Middlebury - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Middlebury Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Middlebury (3.89).
• Middlebury has a higher acceptance rate (10.7%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 44.4% at Middlebury.

Cornell vs. Middlebury Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Middlebury? 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 Middlebury College's (90%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $26,000 more per year than Middlebury graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $72,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $3,889 lower median loan debt than Middlebury graduates ($12,000 vs. $15,889).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middlebury graduates ($124 vs. $164).
• More Middlebury 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.