Cornell vs. SUNY-ESF

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than SUNY-ESF based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,757 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1.

Cornell vs. SUNY-ESF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Cornell ($19,814 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry are 6.9% lower than at Cornell University ($18,080 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 645.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $60,011 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 211.3% higher at Cornell than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $47,051 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry than at Cornell University (96% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 610.2% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($61,779 vs. $8,699).

Cornell vs. SUNY-ESF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 320 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; SUNY-ESF - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at SUNY-ESF (3.7).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 17.6% at SUNY-ESF.

Cornell vs. SUNY-ESF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and SUNY-ESF? 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 SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $52,200 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than SUNY-ESF graduates ($12,000 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY-ESF graduates ($124 vs. $204).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 78%)

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.