Cornell vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than SUNY Cortland based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 6,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

Cornell vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or SUNY Cortland? 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 Cortland than Cornell ($19,847 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 19.9% lower than at Cornell University ($15,560 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 681.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $60,440 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 269% higher at Cornell than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $50,530 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at State University of New York at Cortland than at Cornell University (63% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 648.5% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($61,779 vs. $8,254).

Cornell vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 370 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at SUNY Cortland (3.7).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

Cornell vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and SUNY Cortland? 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 Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $51,100 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than SUNY Cortland graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Cortland graduates ($124 vs. $222).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 75%)

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.