Cornell vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

Compare Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Vassar based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 2,462 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; Vassar College 7:1.

Cornell vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($26,361 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 6.1% lower than at Cornell University ($18,240 vs. $19,428).
• Vassar College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cornell (about $1,716 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $69,314.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Vassar than at Cornell University (about $1,716 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $69,314.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at Cornell University (55% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Vassar College students ($61,779 vs. $57,443).

Cornell vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 40 points higher than at Vassar (1500).
• Incoming Cornell students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vassar (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 1500/1570; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Vassar (3.86).
• Vassar has a higher acceptance rate (18.6%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Cornell vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and Vassar? 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 Vassar College's (91%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $40,000 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $3,780 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($12,000 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($124 vs. $163).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cornell students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 87%)

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.