Skip to main content
Last updated: May 31, 2026

Cornell University

United States · New York

Cornell University

Private School
United States
Country
New York
City
26793
Total Students
Private
Status
About the University

Cornell University overview

Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, is a private and statutory Ivy League research institution. It was founded by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White in 1865, and its motto is "I would found an institution where anyone could receive instruction in any field of study." The university was intended to teach and contribute to all areas of knowledge, from the antiquities to the sciences and from the theoretical to the practical.

These unconventional principles are encapsulated in Cornell's founding principle, a popular 1868 quote from founder Ezra Cornell: "I would found an institution where anyone could receive instruction in any field of study."

Cornell's primary campus is located on East Hill in Ithaca, New York, overlooking Cayuga Lake and the city. Cornell administers two auxiliary medical campuses, one in New York City and one in Education City, Qatar, as well as Cornell Tech, a technology-focused campus on Roosevelt Island in the center of Manhattan. Cornell's Ithaca campus comprises seven undergraduate colleges and seven graduate divisions, with each college and division defining its own admission requirements and academic programs with a high degree of autonomy.

The university's seven undergraduate colleges are:

  1. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  2. College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
  3. College of Arts and Sciences
  4. Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
  5. College of Engineering
  6. College of Human Ecology
  7. School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Cornell is a member of the Ivy League, is considered one of the world's most prestigious universities, and has produced over sixty Nobel laureates. Its research includes the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, among others. The undergraduate student population at Cornell was over 15,000 in 2023, and the graduate student population was over 7,000. Additionally, the university has a large international student body, with pupils hailing from over 120 countries. Cornell University Library is one of the United States' ten greatest academic research libraries.

In its 20 constituent libraries, it holds over 8 million volumes and a variety of rare and distinct materials. Cornell University's athletic teams, known as the Big Red, compete in NCAA Division I and the Ivy League.

About the University

About Cornell University

Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, is a private and statutory Ivy League research institution. It was founded by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White in 1865, and its motto is "I would found an institution where anyone could receive instruction in any field of study." The university was intended to teach and contribute to all areas of knowledge, from the antiquities to the sciences and from the theoretical to the practical.

These unconventional principles are encapsulated in Cornell's founding principle, a popular 1868 quote from founder Ezra Cornell: "I would found an institution where anyone could receive instruction in any field of study."

Cornell's primary campus is located on East Hill in Ithaca, New York, overlooking Cayuga Lake and the city. Cornell administers two auxiliary medical campuses, one in New York City and one in Education City, Qatar, as well as Cornell Tech, a technology-focused campus on Roosevelt Island in the center of Manhattan. Cornell's Ithaca campus comprises seven undergraduate colleges and seven graduate divisions, with each college and division defining its own admission requirements and academic programs with a high degree of autonomy.

The university's seven undergraduate colleges are:

  1. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  2. College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
  3. College of Arts and Sciences
  4. Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
  5. College of Engineering
  6. College of Human Ecology
  7. School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Cornell is a member of the Ivy League, is considered one of the world's most prestigious universities, and has produced over sixty Nobel laureates. Its research includes the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, among others. The undergraduate student population at Cornell was over 15,000 in 2023, and the graduate student population was over 7,000. Additionally, the university has a large international student body, with pupils hailing from over 120 countries. Cornell University Library is one of the United States' ten greatest academic research libraries.

In its 20 constituent libraries, it holds over 8 million volumes and a variety of rare and distinct materials. Cornell University's athletic teams, known as the Big Red, compete in NCAA Division I and the Ivy League.

City
New York
Country
United States
Type
Private
Number of Students
26793
#18
Times Universities
#16
QS World
#12
National Ranking
90
Quality Score
#12
Shanghai List
Faculties & Programs

Cornell University faculties and programs

0 results listed
No programs match your search criteria.
Scholarship Opportunities

Cornell University scholarships and financial aid

Cornell University offers financial aid to international students in the form of need-based scholarships. The university has a need-aware admission policy for international students, which means that a student's financial need may be considered when making an admission decision. However, if an international student is admitted to Cornell University and demonstrates financial need, the university is committed to meeting 100% of their demonstrated need. To be considered for need-based financial aid, international students must submit the CSS Profile during the application process.

This information helps the university to assess the family's financial situation and calculate the amount of financial aid needed. Financial aid packages at Cornell University typically consist of grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid. They may also include a work-study component, which provides students with an opportunity to work part-time on campus.

Application Process

How to get into Cornell University

Admission Requirements for International Students

Undergraduate

Application Materials

  • Common App Application
  • Application Fee
  • School Report
  • Teacher Evaluations
  • Official Transcripts from Secondary School
  • Mid-Year Report

Academic Requirements

  • Successful completion of basic education
  • High School Diploma
  • Certificate in English Proficiency
    • Certificate in English proficiency received through internationally recognized proficiency tests such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic.
  • High Grade Point Average
  • SAT or ACT Standardized Test Score (optional)
  • Supplemental Application Essays

Please note that AP and IB exam scores are considered additional pieces of academic information and can help the university understand your level of preparation and potential for college level work. AP and IB exam scores do not guarantee admission to Cornell University.

Graduate

  • Bachelor's Degree Diploma
  • High Grade Point Average
  • Official transcripts of the courses taken by the applicant during college/university education
  • Work experience may be required for certain programs
  • Certificate in English Proficiency
    • Certificate in English proficiency received through internationally recognized proficiency tests such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT.
  • GRE/GMAT exam score may be required in accordance with the specific admission requirements of certain programs.
Campus

Take a closer look at Cornell University

Ithaca Main Campus, the primary campus of Cornell University, is located in Ithaca, New York. It spans more than 2,300 acres and is known for its natural beauty, with stunning views of the Cayuga Lake, gorges, and waterfalls. The campus architecture ranges from Collegiate Gothic to modernist styles, and it includes facilities like the iconic McGraw Tower, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, and the state-of-the-art Cornell Tech building. Located on Roosevelt Island in New York City, Cornell Tech focuses on the intersection of technology, business, and creative thinking.

Opened in 2017, it offers a unique blend of academic and entrepreneurial approaches.

Weill Cornell Medicine, also located in New York City, comprises the Weill Cornell Medical College, the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and the Weill Cornell Physician Organization. It's known for its cutting-edge research, exemplary patient care, and excellent medical education. Located in Geneva, New York, Cornell AgriTech focuses on food and agricultural technology. Its research has greatly impacted New York state's agriculture industry.

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, while primarily located on the main Ithaca campus, operates an executive MBA program in New York City. Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine, based on the main campus in Ithaca, houses the Cornell Ruffian Equine Specialists facility near Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

Moreover, Cornell University also operates several other facilities and research centers in different parts of the world. For example, it operates the Shoals Marine Laboratory, a seasonal marine field station on Appledore Island, Maine, in cooperation with the University of New Hampshire. Additionally, the university is affiliated with the Boyce Thompson Institute, an independent research institution located on its Ithaca campus that focuses on plant sciences.

Campus Life

The vibrant campus life at Cornell University contributes to the overall educational experience of its students. More than a thousand student organizations at Cornell cater to a broad range of interests. Academic and professional societies, service organizations, cultural and identity groups, arts and performance groups, recreational sports clubs, and Greek life (fraternities and sororities) are examples. First-year students are required to reside on campus, with the majority opting to do so in one of Cornell's residential communities.

There are several lodging options for students, including traditional dormitories, program houses, and co-operative houses. Graduate and professional students can reside in graduate housing complexes on the Cornell campus or locate off-campus housing in the Ithaca region.

Cornell Dining is ranked among the finest in the nation for its culinary quality and commitment to sustainability. On campus, the university has numerous refreshment locations offering a variety of options. The university has multiple fitness centers, an indoor climbing wall, swimming pools, and recreational and competitive sports fields. Additionally, Cornell offers numerous physical education courses, club sports, and intramural sports. Cornell's arts community is vibrant, with the Herbert F.

Johnson Museum of Art on campus and numerous music, theater, and dance performances throughout the year. These subjects are available to students independent of their discipline. Cornell provides students with a variety of support services, including academic advising, career services, health services, counseling and psychological services, and international student support.

Cornell University has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and as a result, the university provides students from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, and experiences with access to a wide variety of services and support groups. The institution has made a strong commitment to sustainability by launching a number of programs that aim to lessen its overall carbon footprint, advance sustainable practices in academic research and teaching, and include the local community in local sustainability activities.

Student Profile

Since the day it was established, Cornell University has produced alumni who have made creative and significant contributions to society, the arts and sciences, business, and national and international affairs. Notable alumni of Cornell University include;

  • Andrea Savage
  • Ann Coulter
  • Anthony Fauci
  • Ari Melber
  • Barbara McClintock
  • Bill Maher
  • Bill Nye
  • Catherine Hicks
  • Christopher Reeve
  • Dan Duryea
  • Dominique Thorne
  • Elbert Frank Cox
  • Erik Cassel
  • Freeman Dyson
  • Gabby Giffords
  • Harold Gould
  • Herb Edelman
  • Howard Hawks
  • Huey Lewis
  • Jane Lynch
  • Janet Wood Reno
  • Jimmy Smits
  • Junot Díaz
  • Justin H. Min
  • Kurt Vonnegut
  • Lee Teng-hui
  • Leo Frank
  • Mae C. Jemison
  • Margaret Bourke-White
  • Meta Golding
  • Nikos Koklonis
  • Numan Kurtulmuş
  • Pearl S. Buck
  • Randi Weingarten
  • Ratan Tata
  • Raymond Sawada
  • Rob Marciano
  • Robert F. Smith
  • Robert Smigel
  • Rohan Murty
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg
  • Salil Parekh
  • Shantanu Naidu
  • Sister Souljah
  • Sudha Murty
  • Thomas Pynchon
  • Toni Morrison
  • Tsai Ing-wen
  • Vijaya Gadde
  • William Sadler
  • Yianni Diakomihalis
Living

Cornell University cost of living

Achievements

Cornell University awards and achievements

  • 61 Nobel Laureates
  • 4 Turing Award Winners
  • 1 Fields Medalist
  • 34 Marshall Scholars
  • 33 Rhodes Scholars
  • 29 Truman Scholars
  • 7 Gates Scholars
  • 63 Olympic Medalists

Cornell University Frequently Asked Questions

Cornell University Location

New York, United States

Cornell University Contact

Email
info@cornell.edu
Phone
+1 (607) 254-4636
Website
https://www.cornell.edu
Address
Caldwell Hall Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853-2602

Cornell University Social Media

Follow the university on its official social media channels:

Cornell University

Take a Closer Look
Cornell University view 1

How to Get Into Cornell University

01

In your first meeting with a Dream Uni advisor, your academic background, goals, and expectations are analyzed in detail.

02

By assessing your English level and academic grades, your eligibility for the universities and colleges Dream Uni partners with is determined.

03

The application process is managed meticulously by our professional team, and your acceptance letter is delivered to you.

Why Cornell University?

Located in New York, United States, Cornell University is known for its academic excellence, distinguished faculty, and remarkably rich history.

Other Universities in United States

Brown University
Popular Scholarship

Brown University

Rhode Island, United States·
Annual Fee$ 69760
Times Higher Ed.#65
University of California, Santa Barbara
Popular

University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, USA, United States·
Annual Fee$ 50614
Times Higher Ed.#67
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Popular Scholarship

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States·
Annual Fee$ 41203
Times Higher Ed.#78
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Popular Scholarship

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN, United States·
Annual Fee$ 38362
Times Higher Ed.#88
University of California, Irvine
Popular Scholarship

University of California, Irvine

Irvine, United States·
Annual Fee$ 49922
Times Higher Ed.#95
Emory University
Popular Scholarship

Emory University

Atlanta, GA, United States·
Annual Fee$ 63940
Times Higher Ed.#102
Rice University
Popular Scholarship

Rice University

Houston, United States·
Annual Fee$ 58128
Times Higher Ed.#103
Michigan State University
Popular Scholarship

Michigan State University

Michigan, United States·
Annual Fee$ 43842
Times Higher Ed.#105
The Ohio State University
Popular Scholarship

The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH, United States·
Annual Fee$ 40022
Times Higher Ed.#108
Pennsylvania State University
Popular Scholarship

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania, United States·
Annual Fee$ 39564
Times Higher Ed.#108
University of Maryland, College Park
Popular Scholarship

University of Maryland, College Park

College Park, Maryland, United States·
Annual Fee$ 41186
Times Higher Ed.#116
University of Rochester
Popular Scholarship

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY, United States·
Annual Fee$ 67080
Times Higher Ed.#127
Contact

Get in touch with us

Fill out the form and a Dream Uni advisor will reach out to schedule your consultation.

Expert assessment tailored to your profile
Guaranteed response within 24 hours
Online or in-person meeting options
+1

I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

I would like to receive updates, tips, and news from Dream Uni.

Chat with an Advisor on WhatsApp