Cornell vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

Cornell vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington than Cornell ($21,800 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 26.7% lower than at Cornell University ($14,250 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 373.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $54,674 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.5% higher at Cornell than at University of Mary Washington (about $41,754 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at Cornell University (99% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 488.9% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($61,779 vs. $10,491).

Cornell vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cornell or Mary Washington College? 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 Mary Washington College and Cornell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 270 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

Cornell vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Mary Washington College? 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $42,900 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $55,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($12,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $98 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($124 vs. $222).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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.