University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) vs Cornell

Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles and Ithaca, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and Cornell University stand as two beacons of higher education, each offering a distinct academic experience. UCLA, renowned for its vibrant urban setting, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of undergraduate programs, while Cornell, nestled amidst rolling hills, offers a more traditional college town atmosphere and a focus on research and innovation. With acceptance rates of 12% and 10%, respectively, both universities are highly selective, attracting top students from across the globe. While UCLA's student body is predominantly composed of California residents, Cornell draws a more geographically diverse population. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these prestigious institutions, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your college decision.

	Cornell University	University of California-Los Angeles
Overview
Location	Ithaca, New York	Los Angeles, California
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	8.7%	10.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $105	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120
SAT range	1450 - 1560	N/A
ACT range	33 - 35	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	41.0%
Students submitting ACT score	20.0%
Total number of applicants	67,380	139,489
Total number of admissions given out	5,852	15,028
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,718	6,584
Yield rate	63.5%	43.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$80,287	In state: $36,173 Out of state: $65,927
Average net price	$24,262	$13,393
Tuition	$60,286	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,962 Meal plan: $6,434	$16,763
Available payment plans		Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	50.0% Average amount $52,674	45.0% Average amount $17,592
Students receiving federal student loan	26.0% Average amount $3,924	11.0% Average amount $4,391
Students taking out private loans	16.0% Average amount $8,357	1.0% Average amount $19,764

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	15,503 Men 46.1% Women 53.9%	32,122 Men 40.2% Women 59.8%
Graduate students	10,079 Men 51.0% Women 49.0%	13,994 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	64.3%	21.9%
International students	24.4%	14.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,422	20,372
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York California New Jersey Florida Pennsylvania	California Texas Washington New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Agriculture Computer and Information Science Legal Profession	Engineering Business Health Professions Visual & Performing Arts Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	94.1%	92.1%
Dropout rate	5.2%	3.7%
Transferred out	N/A	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $185,154 Year 2: $172,867 Year 3: $207,272 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $150,786 Year 2: $145,332 Year 3: $167,695 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $127,764 Year 2: $122,485 Year 3: $158,076 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $147,241 Year 2: $127,397 Year 3: $155,653 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,311 Year 2: $111,926 Year 3: $126,082 Operations Research (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $101,067 Year 2: $109,763 Year 3: $124,590 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,459 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $109,597 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,672 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $109,553 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,847 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $107,658 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $106,693	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $129,237 Year 2: $134,761 Year 3: $179,615 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $150,028 Year 2: $143,744 Year 3: $157,681 Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $117,572 Year 3: $156,116 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $117,100 Year 2: $110,878 Year 3: $147,842 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $92,050 Year 2: $101,128 Year 3: $130,087 Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $112,202 Year 2: $117,572 Year 3: $126,081 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $116,282 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $123,214 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $110,139 Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $111,727 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,817 Year 2: $96,775 Year 3: $110,729 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,892 Year 2: $99,040 Year 3: $110,415

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UCLA and Cornell?

UCLA is a large, public university located in Los Angeles, California, known for its strong programs across a wide range of disciplines and its vibrant campus life. Cornell, on the other hand, is a private Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, distinguished by its research focus, its land-grant mission, and its unique college structure. UCLA offers a more laid-back, sunny California experience, while Cornell provides a more traditional, rigorous Ivy League environment.
Which university is more selective: UCLA or Cornell?

Cornell is generally considered slightly more selective than UCLA. Both universities have highly competitive admissions processes, but Cornell's acceptance rate tends to be a bit lower. However, the specific selectivity can vary from year to year and depends on the applicant pool.
How do the academic programs at UCLA and Cornell compare?

Both UCLA and Cornell offer a wide array of excellent academic programs. UCLA is particularly strong in fields like film, theater, medicine, and engineering. Cornell excels in engineering, agriculture, architecture, and hospitality management. Cornell's unique college structure allows for specialized programs not found at UCLA, while UCLA's breadth of departments provides a wider range of options within certain disciplines.
What is the campus environment like at UCLA versus Cornell?

UCLA boasts a large, bustling campus in the heart of Los Angeles, offering a vibrant and diverse student body. The weather is typically sunny and warm, and students have access to a wide range of cultural and recreational activities in the city. Cornell's campus is located in Ithaca, New York, a smaller city surrounded by natural beauty. The campus is more self-contained, with a strong sense of community. The climate is more seasonal, with cold winters and warm summers.
How do the costs of attending UCLA and Cornell compare?

UCLA, as a public university, is significantly more affordable for California residents. For out-of-state students, the cost is higher but still generally lower than Cornell. Cornell, as a private university, has a higher tuition cost for all students, regardless of residency. However, both universities offer financial aid and scholarships to help students afford the cost of attendance.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of UCLA and Cornell?

Graduates from both UCLA and Cornell are highly sought after by employers. UCLA's location in Los Angeles provides access to opportunities in the entertainment, technology, and aerospace industries. Cornell's strong reputation and alumni network open doors to careers in finance, consulting, engineering, and academia. Both universities have excellent career services departments to assist students with internships and job placement.
Which university is better for students interested in research?

Both UCLA and Cornell are major research universities with ample opportunities for students to get involved in research. Cornell is particularly known for its research focus, especially in STEM fields. UCLA also has a strong research presence, particularly in medicine and the sciences. Students at both universities can find research opportunities through faculty connections, research centers, and undergraduate research programs.
How do the student bodies at UCLA and Cornell differ?

UCLA has a larger and more diverse student body, reflecting the demographics of California. Cornell also has a diverse student body, but it draws students from a wider geographic area, including international students. Both universities attract high-achieving students from a variety of backgrounds.
What are some popular extracurricular activities at UCLA and Cornell?

UCLA offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student government, clubs, sports, and Greek life. Its location in Los Angeles provides access to cultural events, concerts, and sporting events. Cornell also has a vibrant extracurricular scene, with a strong emphasis on student-run organizations, performing arts, and outdoor activities. Cornell's location in the Finger Lakes region provides opportunities for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor pursuits.
Which university is better for a student who wants a strong sense of school spirit?

Both UCLA and Cornell have strong school spirit, but it manifests differently. UCLA's school spirit is often associated with its athletic teams, particularly basketball and football. Cornell's school spirit is more focused on its traditions, its unique college system, and its sense of community. The 'Big Red' spirit is very strong at Cornell.

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