Cornell vs. State University of New York at New Paltz

Deciding between Cornell University and State University of New York at New Paltz? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Cornell University
State University of New York at New Paltz

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NY
  • Setting
  • Cornell Small City
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Cornell 26,793
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 7,898
  • Type
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Cornell #19
  • State University of New York at New Paltz #288
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Cornell -
  • State University of New York at New Paltz -
  • Status
  • Cornell Non-profit
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Cornell
  • State University of New York at New Paltz

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $8,572
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $18,822
  • Room & Board
  • Cornell $19,428
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $16,684
  • Average Net Price
  • Cornell $26,361
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $18,051
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Cornell $61,779
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $10,087
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Cornell 48%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 71%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Cornell 62,993
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 17,232
  • Admitted
  • Cornell 5,516
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 10,616
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 61.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 10.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cornell 1540
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cornell 34
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 27
  • Average High School GPA
  • Cornell 3.9
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 3.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Cornell A
  • State University of New York at New Paltz A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Cornell Elite
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • Cornell Extreme
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Low
  • ACT Range
  • Cornell 33/35
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29
  • SAT Range
  • Cornell 1500/1570
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Cornell Required
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Cornell 9:1
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • State University of New York at New Paltz
    • Education (22%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • English and Literature (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Cornell 93%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 69%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Cornell $98,400
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $47,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Cornell 87%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 72%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Cornell $12,000
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $19,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Cornell $124
  • State University of New York at New Paltz $196

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Cornell 47%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 36%
  • % Women
  • Cornell 53%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 64%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Cornell Very High
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Medium
  • HBCU
  • Cornell No
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • % White
  • Cornell 41%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 63%
  • % Asian
  • Cornell 18%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • % Black
  • Cornell 6%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Cornell 12%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 17%
  • % Native American
  • Cornell 0%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Cornell 0%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Cornell 4%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 2%
  • % International
  • Cornell 10%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Cornell 8%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 4%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Cornell 32%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 93%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Cornell 55%
  • State University of New York at New Paltz 6%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Cornell Yes
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Cornell No
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • Meal Plan
  • Cornell Yes
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Cornell No
  • State University of New York at New Paltz No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Cornell No
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Yes
  • Learn More
  • Cornell Details
  • State University of New York at New Paltz Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with State University of New York at New Paltz in New Paltz, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than State University of New York at New Paltz based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 7,898 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); State University of New York at New Paltz is in New Paltz, NY (Town Fringe setting).
  • Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at New Paltz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; State University of New York at New Paltz 16:1.

Cornell vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz than Cornell ($18,051 vs. $26,361).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at New Paltz are 14.1% lower than at Cornell University ($16,684 vs. $19,428).
  • Cornell University is 708.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than State University of New York at New Paltz (about $60,742 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $8,572.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 268.3% higher at Cornell than at State University of New York at New Paltz (about $50,492 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $18,822.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at New Paltz than at Cornell University (71% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 512.5% larger than aid received by State University of New York at New Paltz students ($61,779 vs. $10,087).

Cornell vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell or State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz and Cornell.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 280 points higher than at State University of New York at New Paltz (1260).
  • Incoming Cornell students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at State University of New York at New Paltz).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; State University of New York at New Paltz 1170/1340.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; State University of New York at New Paltz 25/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; State University of New York at New Paltz - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; State University of New York at New Paltz Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at State University of New York at New Paltz (3.6).
  • State University of New York at New Paltz has a higher acceptance rate (61.6%) than Cornell (8.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 10.7% at State University of New York at New Paltz.

Cornell vs. State University of New York at New Paltz Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and State University of New York at New Paltz? 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 State University of New York at New Paltz's (69%).
  • Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $51,000 more per year than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates ($12,000 vs. $19,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than State University of New York at New Paltz graduates ($124 vs. $196).
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former State University of New York at New Paltz 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.