Cornell University acceptance rate has shown a gradual decline in recent years. As a member of the Ivy League in the United States, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York has always attracted applicants from all over the world with its world-class academic standards and diverse campus culture. Cornell University is one of the most selective universities in the United States, which, coupled with changes in standardized test requirements and a surge in applications in recent years, has made the decline in acceptance rates even more pronounced. In terms of international students, the Cornell acceptance rate is slightly lower than the overall acceptance rate, which also reflects the need for international students to demonstrate a stronger overall ability to compete. This article will explore all aspects of the acceptance rate at Cornell University, including trends, the latest data, factors that influence acceptance rates, and insights into the admissions process to provide you with a full range of references and guidance to help you fully prepare for your application.
Cornell University Acceptance Rate Trends
Recent Cornell University Acceptance Rate Data
| Cornell University Overall Acceptance Rate | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class | Overall Application Received | Overall Application Accepted | Overall Acceptace Rate | ED Acceptance Rate | RD Acceptance Rate |
| Class of 2029 | 64,900 | 5,824 | 8.97% | 22.36% | 6.99% |
| Class of 2028 | 65,612 | 5,516 | 8.41% | 11.64% | 6.27% |
| Class of 2027 | 67,846 | 4,994 | 7.36% | 17.55% | 5.70% |
| Class of 2026 | 71,164 | 4,908 | 6.90% | 19.16% | 4.99% |
| Class of 2025 | 67,380 | 5,852 | 8.69% | 21.40% | 6.72% |
| Class of 2024 | 51,485 | 5,496 | 10.67% | 23.82% | 8.74% |
Cornell acceptance rate has seen fluctuations over the years, reflecting the increasing competitiveness of university admissions. For the Class of 2027, Cornell received 67,846 applications and accepted 4,994 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 7.36%. This marked a slight increase from the previous year’s Cornell admit rate of 6.9% for the Class of 2026, which had 71,164 applicants and 4,908 admissions. For the Cornell acceptance rate of 2028 Class, it is at around 8.41%, which means that among the 65,612 applications, only 5,516 students has been admitted. For the Class of 2029, the overall acceptance rate at Cornell University reaches 8.97%, with Early Decision acceptance rate at 22.36% and regular decision at 6.99%. Based on the last five to six years of data, Cornell University acceptance rates have hovered between 6% and 10%, indicating a trend of growing selectivity.
Factors Influencing Cornell Acceptance Rate
1. Increasing number of applicants: As more students recognize Cornell’s academic reputation, the applicant pool grows. The increasing number of applications each year intensifies competition, leading to lower acceptance rates.
2. Standardized test policy adjustment: Standardized test options implemented since the pandemic have allowed more students to try to apply to top universities.
3. Class size limitations: Cornell aims to maintain a manageable student-to-faculty ratio, which limits the number of students admitted each year. This commitment to quality education impacts the overall acceptance rate.
4. Comprehensive admission process: Cornell University uses a comprehensive review process that considers not only academic performance, but also extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. This comprehensive evaluation can influence Cornell acceptance rate based on the quality of applicants.
5. Diversity Goals: Cornell is committed to fostering a diverse student body and seeks to recruit students from diverse backgrounds, including geographical, ethnic, economic, etc., which influences admissions decisions and also helps to increase selectivity throughout the process.
Cornell ED Acceptance Rate
What is Cornell ED Acceptance Rate?
The Cornell ED acceptance rate, also known as the Cornell Early Decision acceptance rate, is an admit rate under Cornell University’s early admission policy. The policy allows applicants to submit applications at the end of the fall semester and receive early admission results. This approach is suitable for students who clearly choose Cornell as your first choice, and it has a certain effect on acceptance rates. The Cornell ED admission rate is generally higher than regular decision (RD) acceptance rate.
Recent Cornell ED Acceptance Rate Data
| Cornell Early Decision Acceptance Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | ED Application Received | ED Application Received | ED Acceptance Rate |
| Class of 2029 | 8,380 | 1,874 | 22.36% |
| Class of 2028 | 9,973 | 1,161 | 11.64% |
| Class of 2027 | 9,515 | 1,670 | 17.55% |
| Class of 2026 | 9,555 | 1,831 | 19.16% |
| Class of 2025 | 9,017 | 1,930 | 21.40% |
| Class of 2024 | 6,615 | 1,576 | 23.82% |
| Class of 2023 | 6,195 | 1,395 | 22.65% |
| Class of 2022 | 6,319 | 1,533 | 24.26% |
| Class of 2021 | 5,384 | 1,378 | 25.59% |
| Class of 2020 | 4,866 | 1,200 | 25.69% |
| Class of 2019 | 4,560 | 1,196 | 26.23% |
From Class of 2019 to Class of 2028, we can easily notice that the number of applicants choosing Cornell early decision application has been nearly doubled, which is from 4,560 to around 9,973, showing the the fierce competition for Cornell University ED application. However, the Cornell early decision acceptance rate has decreased from 26.23% for Class of 2019 to 18.2% for Class of 2028, reflecting the increasing difficulty of entering Cornell University, and showing that Cornell University is very selective when admitting students. While for Class of 2029, ED Acceptance Rate at Cornell has grown again, reaching to 22.36%.
Over the past 10 years, the Cornell University acceptance rate for Early Decision has dropped from 24% to 18% averagely. But in 2025, that is, Class of 2029, it has returned to around 22%. however, ED Acceptance Rate is still significantly higher than the Cornell Regular decision acceptance rate in the single digits. So, if you know that Cornell is your dream school, or that you will absolutely enroll if you get in, Cornell Early Decision application is your best choice.
Cornell RD Acceptance Rate
Recent Cornell RD Acceptance Rate
| Cornell Regular Decision Acceptance Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | RD Application Received | RD Application Accepted | RD Acceptance Rate |
| Class of 2029 | 56,520 | 3,950 | 6.99% |
| Class of 2028 | 57,219 | 3,590 | 6.27% |
| Class of 2027 | 58,331 | 3,324 | 5.70% |
| Class of 2026 | 61,609 | 3,077 | 4.99% |
| Class of 2025 | 58,363 | 3,922 | 6.72% |
| Class of 2024 | 44,870 | 3,920 | 8.74% |
| Class of 2023 | 42,959 | 3,788 | 8.82% |
| Class of 2022 | 45,009 | 3,755 | 8.34% |
| Class of 2021 | 41,654 | 4,511 | 10.83% |
| Class of 2020 | 40,100 | 5,027 | 12.54% |
| Class of 2019 | 37,107 | 5,034 | 13.57% |
According to the statistics of Cornell RD acceptance rate, easpecially the recent 5 year, the admitted rate of Cornell regular application round is low to around 6%.
Regular Decision Acceptance Rate for Class of 2029 is 6.99%, with 56,520 applicants and 2,950 admitted.
The Overall Cornell University acceptance rate of the 2028 Class is 8.41%, yet the RD Cornell admit rate is 6.27%. In Class of 2028’s Regular Decision application round, there were around 57,291 applicants, but only 3,590 gained the offer from Cornell University.
For Class of 2026, the number of applicants is 61,609, reaching the highest point in nearly a decade, however, there were only 3,077 students admitted to Cornell University, and the Cornell acceptance rate of regular decision application dropped to 4.99%, which is the lowest RD admit rate in the 10 years.
Cornell Regular Decision acceptance rate, Compared to Cornell University Early Decision acceptance rate, is significantly lower because this segment has the largest number of applicants and the number of places is limited, reflecting the increased competition among RD applicants. Students who choose Cornell’s RD application need to show more outstanding comprehensive competitiveness in your application materials to cope with the higher intensity of competition.
Cornell Acceptance Rate by Colleges
Cornell University’s admission process is decentralized, meaning applicants submit their applications directly to the college of their choice. The admission standards and the intensity of competition vary greatly among different colleges. The following are the estimated admission rates of each college, which can serve as an important reference for application strategies.
| College | Admission rate (estimated by latest Class) |
Analysis of Admission Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| SC Johnson College of Business (Dyson) | ~4.0% | Most intense competition, on par with top business schools such as Wharton and MIT Sloan. |
| College of Engineering | ~5.4% | Fierce Competition; Extremely high requirements for a background in mathematics and science. |
| College of Arts and Sciences | ~6.1% | Largest number of applicants; Fierce competition; But largest number of admissions. |
| College of Architecture, Art, & Planning (AAP) | ~9.0% | A portfolio needs to be submitted, which has extremely high requirements for professional ability. |
| College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) | ~14.7% | The state Contract college; A relatively high admission rate; But high requirements for professional matching. |
| College of Human Ecology (CHE) | ~15-20% | The State Contract College; Focuses on interdisciplinary fields such as human development and nutrition. |
| School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) | ~15-20% | The State Contract College; Focuses on labor relations, economics and history. |
Among the 7 undergraduate Colleges of Cornell University, 4 are state Contract Colleges, which receive funding from the New York State government and undertake certain public service functions. Besides, the competition at Dyson’s School of Business and School of Engineering is even more intense than the overall admission rate.
Cornell University Acceptance Rate by Major
Cornell acceptance rate can vary significantly by major. For example, Cornell Engineering acceptance rate and Cornell Architecture acceptance rate are often lower compared to less competitive majors. This trend reflects the demand for specific fields of study and the qualifications required for admission. The choice of major has a significant impact on admission, and students should choose according to your interests and advantages. Here are Cornell admission statistics for some of the most popular major in Cornell University:
Cornell Engineering Acceptance Rate
| Cornell Engineering Acceptance Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Applicants | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
| 2024 | 18,501 | 1,246 | 7% |
| 2023 | 18,096 | 1,335 | 7% |
| 2022 | 19,997 | 1,223 | 6% |
| 2021 | 17,350 | 1,390 | 8% |
| 2020 | 13,963 | 1,287 | 9% |
| 2019 | 12,314 | 1,297 | 11% |
| 2018 | 13,234 | 1,247 | 9% |
Cornell CALS Acceptance Rate
| Cornell CALS Acceptance Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Applicants | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
| 2024 | 6,320 | 916 | 14% |
| 2023 | 6,290 | 892 | 14% |
| 2022 | 6,990 | 900 | 13% |
| 2021 | 6,679 | 820 | 12% |
| 2020 | 5,349 | 790 | 15% |
| 2019 | 6,999 | 797 | 11% |
| 2018 | 7070 | 812 | 11% |
Cornell Architecture Acceptance Rate
| Cornell Architecture Acceptance Rate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Applicants | Acceptances | Acceptance Rate |
| 2024 | 1,947 | 176 | 9% |
| 2023 | 1,857 | 176 | 9% |
| 2022 | 2,211 | 179 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1,977 | 191 | 10% |
| 2020 | 1,469 | 182 | 12% |
| 2019 | 1,453 | 149 | 10% |
| 2018 | 1,369 | 156 | 11% |
Cornell University Acceptance Rate of International Students
| Cornell University Acceptance Rate for International Students | |
|---|---|
| Particulars | Amount/Percentage |
| International Student Applicants | 16,893 |
| International Student Acceptances | 478 |
| International Student Enrollments | 358 |
| International Student Acceptance Rate | 2.80% |
Cornell University has always been committed to internationalization and actively recruit international students. For 2024 Cornell University admission, there are total 16,839 international students submit applications. Among them, 478 students got the offer from Cornell University, and the acceptance rate at Cornell University for international student reached 2.8%, which shows generally competitive, reflecting the high calibre of applicants from around the world.
Cornell University Class Profile
Cornell University Demographics of Latest Class
| Cornell University Demographics of the Latest Class | |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity/Race | Rate |
| White | 47.40% |
| Asian | 36.50% |
| Hispanic | 10.50% |
| Black | 7.70% |
| American Indian | 1.00% |
| Hawaiian/PI | 0.40% |
Note: The racial data is based on self-identification. As students can select multiple categories, the sum of the demographic percentages in the table is above 100%.
Entry Requirements for Cornell University
1. Academic Performance: A strong GPA, typically above 3.9, is expected, with many admitted students having GPAs closer to 4.0.
2. Standardized Test Scores: While Cornell has adopted a test-optional policy, SAT/ACT scores are still an important reference. So submitting SAT or ACT scores can enhance an application. The median SAT scores range for admitted students is generally between 1480 and 1550.
3. Extracurricular Involvement: Demonstrated leadership, social impact, and involvement in extracurricular activities are crucial components of a competitive application.
4. Personal Essays and Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit personal essays and letters of recommendation that demonstrate the applicant’s character, interests, and goals, and showing you are fit with Cornell.
Strategic Application Guide on Increasing Chances to Cornell
Facing Cornell University’s extremely low admission rate, applicants need to go beyond outstanding academic performance and adopt refined strategies to highlight their uniqueness and Fit for Cornell. Here are three key strategies to increase your chances of being admitted.
Strategy 1: Utilize The Strategic Advantages of Early Decision (ED)
Early Decision (ED) is the most direct and effective way to increase the chances of being admitted to Cornell. As historical data shows, the Early Decision (ED) acceptance rate at Cornell University is typically more than twice that of the regular Decision (RD) acceptance rate.
The core advantage of ED lies in:
- Show a high Commitment (Demonstrated Commitment): ED is binding and must be enrolled once admitted. This sends a strong signal to the admissions officers that Cornell is your first choice. In a highly competitive environment with extremely low admission rates, admissions officers tend to admit students who can ensure the Yield Rate.
- Smaller competition pool: Although the number of ED applicants has been increasing year by year, the size of its application pool is still much smaller than that of the RD application pool. In addition, students admitted in the ED stage usually account for about 30% of the total number of freshmen classes, which means that in the ED stage, you are competing for a larger proportion of admission places.
If Cornell University is your clear goal and your application materials are well-prepared, you should decisively choose to apply through Early Decision.
Strategy 2: Decisive Elements of The Document
The application process for Cornell University is fragmented. Your application essays, especially supplementary ones, must precisely reflect your deep understanding and passion for the college you are applying to.
The key to a winning document：
- Precise positioning of the college: Avoid using universal templates. For instance, the application documents for the College of Engineering should focus on your practical experience and future research interests in a specific engineering field (such as bioengineering or computer science), and mention the specific professors or laboratories of that college.
- Emphasizing interdisciplinary spirit: Cornell University is renowned for its concept of “Any Person, Any Study”. The application essay can skillfully combine the major of your chosen college with the resources of other colleges at Cornell. For instance, students applying to the College of Arts and Sciences can mention how to utilize the resources of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) for environmental research.
- Show personal traits (Character): Admissions officers are looking for students who can make unique contributions to the Cornell community. The document should demonstrate your curiosity, resilience, leadership and positive impact on the community through specific stories.
Strategy 3: Skillfully Choose A College
Among the seven undergraduate Colleges of Cornell University, four are state Contract Colleges, which receive funding from the New York State government and undertake certain public service functions. The admission rates of these colleges are usually higher than those of private (Endowed) colleges, providing applicants with a strategic advantage.
The advantages of the State Contract College
- The admission rates are relatively high: For instance, the admission rates of CALS (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) and CHE (College of Human Ecology) are significantly higher than those of the College of Engineering or Dyson Business School.
- Flexibility in professional selection: These colleges offer many unique and interdisciplinary majors, such as environmental science, nutrition, hotel management, etc. If your interests are highly consistent with these majors, it will greatly enhance your application competitiveness.
- Advantages of in-state students: Although international students and out-of-state students can also apply, these colleges may give some preference to in-state students in the admission process. However, for out-of-state and international students, their admission rates still have a relative advantage.
Applicants should, based on your own interests and backgrounds, carefully study the mission and professional settings of each college, and choose a college that can not only leverage your strengths but also have a relative advantage in the admission rate. For instance, students who are interested in business and sustainable development may consider applying for relevant programs under CALS instead of the highly competitive Dyson School of Business.
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Final Thoughts on Cornell University Acceptance Rate
Cornell acceptance rate dropped from 10.67% in 2020 to 7.5% in 2024 but a slightly increase to 8.97% in 2025, a significant change that underscores the intense competition for applications. But it also reflects Cornell University’s status as one of the most prestigious institutions in the United States. In a highly competitive admissions process, prospective students must demonstrate excellent academic performance, as well as well-rounded development and a compelling personal narrative. By understanding the trends and influencing factors of Cornell University admission rate, planning properly and using resources wisely, applicants can stand out from the fierce competition and realize your dreams.
FAQs on Cornell University Acceptance Rate
What is the Cornell acceptance rate?
Cornell acceptance rate in recent 5 years is around 6% to 10%. According to the latest statistics, Cornell University admission rate of Class of 2029 is 8.97%.
What GPA do you need to get into Cornell?
In order to receive the offer from Cornell University, students should have a 3.9 GPA or even close to 4.0. Besides, getting a SAT score over 1480 will increase your competitiveness.
What percentage of admissions are legacy Cornell?
Roughly 15% of the students in the Class of 2028 at Cornell University were legacies, reflecting that acknowledging your legacy status can be a positive factor during Cornell admission process, and may get a degree of preference.
What day is Cornell ED released?
According to the latest information on Cornell University website, Cornell University early decision admission results for ED candidates are released in mid-December each year.
When does Cornell RD come out?
According to the Cornell University website, Cornell regular decision admission results are released in late March each year.
How many applicants apply to Cornell?
For the Class of 2029, there are around 64,900 undergraduates applying to Cornell University. Howewer, the applicants for the Class of 2026 reach the top point in recent five years, with 71,164 applications were submitted to Cornell University admissions team.
Can we go Cornell undecided and then do CS?
Yes, you can start at Cornell University as an undeclared student and then switch to Computer Science (CS). All students start out as undeclared or “unaffiliated” in each Cornell colleges, even if they expressed interest in a specific major during the admissions process. However, in sophomore year, students need to affiliate with a major. So if you are interested in Computer Science, you can apply to reassign to Cornell CS during your sophomore year. Cornell students can choose and change majors freely, and even can change multiple times.
