Head-to-head comparison
Cornell University vs. University of Pennsylvania
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Cornell or Penn harder to get into?
Penn is harder to get into than Cornell. Penn's 5.4% acceptance rate is lower than Cornell's 7.9%.
Which is cheaper, Cornell or Penn?
Cornell costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Cornell's average net price is $28,690 vs $28,699 at Penn.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Penn graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $104,043 at Cornell and $111,371 at Penn.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Cornell | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.9% | 5.4% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1480–1550 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,828 | $89,028 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $28,690 | $28,699 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 16,071 | 10,539 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.4% | 96.5% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $104,043 | $111,371 |
| Setting | Ithaca, New York | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Penn is modestly harder to get into. The 2.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.
Cornell is substantially larger with 16,071 undergrads vs 10,539 at Penn. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Cornell is in Ithaca, New York; Penn is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Cornell is 54.6% women, 9.6% international, and 26.8% Asian-American. Penn is 55.0% women, 12.6% international, and 28.4% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Cornell | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.6% | 55.0% |
| International | 9.6% | 12.6% |
| White | 31.0% | 27.4% |
| Asian | 26.8% | 28.4% |
| Hispanic | 13.2% | 11.3% |
| Black | 6.8% | 9.0% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Cornell vs. Penn?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Cornell if
- Your odds are realistic at Cornell (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Cornell costs $9 less per year on average
- seven distinct undergraduate colleges
Pick Penn if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($111,371 vs $104,043)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the One University Policy that lets undergrads take classes across Wharton
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Cornell University
7.9% accept · Ithaca, New York
Full profile
University of Pennsylvania
5.4% accept · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.