Cornell vs. SUNY Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than SUNY Poly based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,733 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); SUNY Polytechnic Institute is in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1.

Cornell vs. SUNY Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute than Cornell ($14,782 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 14.6% lower than at Cornell University ($16,584 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 703.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $60,689 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 226.7% higher at Cornell than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $48,099 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at Cornell University (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 639.2% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($61,779 vs. $8,357).

Cornell vs. SUNY Poly Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 340 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; SUNY Poly - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at SUNY Poly (3.7).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 8.7% at SUNY Poly.

Cornell vs. SUNY Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and SUNY Poly? 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $45,200 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $4,585 lower median loan debt than SUNY Poly graduates ($12,000 vs. $16,585).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SUNY Poly graduates ($124 vs. $171).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 63%)

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.