Stanford vs Cornell
Stanford University and Cornell University, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences to their students. Stanford, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is known for its strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, while Cornell, situated in the picturesque Finger Lakes region of New York, emphasizes a broad range of academic disciplines and boasts a vibrant campus life. With acceptance rates of 4.7% and 10.9%, respectively, both universities are highly selective, attracting top students from around the world. While Stanford's student body is slightly more diverse, Cornell offers a wider variety of undergraduate majors, including unique programs like Hotel Administration and Labor Relations. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences between these two esteemed universities and make an informed decision about which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cornell University |
![]() Stanford University |
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Overview |
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Location | Ithaca, New York | Stanford, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 98.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 8.7% | 3.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$80
Graduate:
$105
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Undergraduate:
$90
Graduate:
$125
|
SAT range | 1450 - 1560 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 20.0% | 11.0% |
Total number of applicants | 67,380 | 55,471 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,852 | 2,190 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,718 | 1,757 |
Yield rate | 63.5% | 80.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $80,287 | $78,898 |
Average net price | $24,262 | $14,402 |
Tuition | $60,286 | $55,473 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,962
Meal plan:
$6,434
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Room/dormitory:
$11,166
Meal plan:
$6,694
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
50.0%
Average amount $52,674 |
61.0%
Average amount $56,211 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
26.0%
Average amount $3,924 |
5.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $8,357 |
1.0%
Average amount $17,186 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,503
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
7,645
Men 49.4% Women 50.6% |
Graduate students |
10,079
Men 51.0% Women 49.0% |
10,035
Men 56.5% Women 43.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 64.3% | 58.5% |
International students | 24.4% | 24.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 7,422 | 14,621 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania | California Texas Washington New York Illinois |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 5:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 94.1% | 95.5% |
Dropout rate | 5.2% | 1.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | 0.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Operations Research (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
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Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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