Cornell University

Overview

Acronyms: CU

Founded: 1865

Control Type: Private

Entity Type: Non-profit

World Rank: #25

Rank in United States: #7

Motto: I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study. Ezra Cornell, 1865

Colours: Carnelian and white

Mascot: Touchdown the Bear

Founded in 1865, the Cornell University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Ithaca (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), New York.

Officially accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Cornell University (CU) is a large-sized coeducational US higher education institution. Cornell University (CU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 159-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 0-9% making this US higher education organization an extremely selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

CU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Cornell University's street address and primary contact methods. Social channels often differentiate by purpose — admissions on one, alumni on another, events on a third.

Academic Details

Institutional vitals for Cornell University: how big, how staffed, and how recognised it is. Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) interacts with these metrics in shaping the daily academic experience.

Academic Structures

Cornell University delivers teaching through the academic units below — useful for orienting yourself before reading individual programmes. Each unit operates with a degree of academic autonomy.

Programs Offered

The full set of programmes Cornell University offers is searchable and grouped by level below. Some programmes accept rolling applications; others run on annual cycles — check before applying.

How to apply to Cornell University

The standard application path for Cornell University, broken into five practical steps with the documents and channels you will need at each stage.

1. 1
   Browse the programme catalogue

   Use the programme finder to browse Cornell University's 332 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

2. 2
   Check eligibility for your chosen programme

   Programme-level requirements at Cornell University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

3. 3
   Get your documents ready

   Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

4. 4
   Apply through the official channel

   Cornell University processes applications through www.cornell.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

5. 5
   Reach out and track your application

   Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (607) 255 2000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cornell University

Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting Cornell University as a study destination.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

the United States's most prominent universities are listed below — relevant for assessing Cornell University's national positioning. National prominence signals not just academic strength but also employer recognition.

Harvard University

Cambridge · Private · Rank #1

Stanford University

Stanford · Private · Rank #8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore · Private · Rank #13

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge · Private · Rank #16

University of Washington

Seattle · Public · Rank #19

Members of Association of American Universities (AAU)

Coordination on academic calendars among Association of American Universities (AAU) members eases exchange programme logistics. Aligned terms reduce timing friction when moving between Cornell University and other members.

University of Toronto

Toronto · Public · Rank #14

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley · Public · Rank #41

Duke University

Durham · Private · Rank #48

New York University

New York City · Private · Rank #49

University of Chicago

Chicago · Private · Rank #53

Faculties at Nearby Universities

If you're weighing Cornell University against other institutions in the area, these neighbouring universities offer overlapping faculties and similar admissions cycles. They are useful for shortlisting based on travel distance or campus environment.

NE

New York State College of Veterinary Medicine

Ithaca · Public · Rank #654

Ithaca College

Ithaca · Private · Rank #4214

NE

New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations

Ithaca · Public · Est. 1945

NE

New York State University College of Human Ecology

Ithaca · Public · Est. 1925

Where Else to Study Agriculture

Accreditation portability differs for Agriculture programmes across the United States. Professional accreditation (where applicable) matters more than institutional accreditation for regulated career paths.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis · Public · Rank #70

University of Florida

Gainesville · Public · Rank #71

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison · Public · Rank #75

University of California, Davis

Davis · Public · Rank #83

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign · Public · Rank #90

Universities Often Compared with Cornell University

The institutions below sit at a comparable academic standing to Cornell University, often shortlisted together. Same-tier comparison helps when you have a target level but want to weigh non-ranking factors like culture or specialism.

Shippensburg University

Shippensburg · Public · Rank #21

Adler University

Chicago · Private · Rank #32

Michigan State University

East Lansing · Public · Rank #173

Wayne State University

Detroit · Public · Rank #463

Michigan Technological University

Houghton · Public · Rank #784