Cornell vs. Wooster

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); The College of Wooster is in Wooster, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Wooster is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; The College of Wooster 10:1.

Cornell vs. Wooster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Wooster? 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 Cornell University than Wooster ($26,361 vs. $28,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Wooster are 25.4% lower than at Cornell University ($14,490 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 12.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wooster (about $7,674 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Cornell than at The College of Wooster (about $7,674 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster than at Cornell University (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 29.6% larger than aid received by The College of Wooster students ($61,779 vs. $47,672).

Cornell vs. Wooster Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 200 points higher than at Wooster (1340).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Wooster).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; The College of Wooster 1220/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; The College of Wooster 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Wooster - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Wooster (3.76).
• Wooster has a higher acceptance rate (59.5%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 11.4% at Wooster.

Cornell vs. Wooster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster's (75%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $47,200 more per year than Wooster graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Wooster graduates ($12,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $144 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wooster graduates ($124 vs. $268).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.