Head-to-head comparison
Cornell University vs. Yale University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Cornell or Yale harder to get into?
Yale is harder to get into than Cornell. Yale's 3.7% acceptance rate is lower than Cornell's 7.9%.
Which is cheaper, Cornell or Yale?
Yale costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Yale's average net price is $23,777 vs $28,690 at Cornell.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Cornell graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $104,043 at Cornell and $100,533 at Yale.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Cornell | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.9% | 3.7% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1480–1550 | 1500–1580 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,828 | $90,975 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $28,690 | $23,777 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 16,071 | 6,645 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.4% | 95.7% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $104,043 | $100,533 |
| Setting | Ithaca, New York | New Haven, Connecticut |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Yale is meaningfully harder to get into. A 4.2-percentage-point gap between 7.9% (Cornell) and 3.7% (Yale) reflects real selectivity differences. Cornell is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Yale draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1580 vs 1550 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
Cornell is substantially larger with 16,071 undergrads vs 6,645 at Yale. 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; Yale is in New Haven, Connecticut. 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. Yale is 51.5% women, 11.2% international, and 21.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Cornell | Yale |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.6% | 51.5% |
| International | 9.6% | 11.2% |
| White | 31.0% | 31.2% |
| Asian | 26.8% | 21.9% |
| Hispanic | 13.2% | 16.6% |
| Black | 6.8% | 9.3% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Cornell vs. Yale?
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)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($104,043 vs $100,533)
- seven distinct undergraduate colleges
Pick Yale if
- Net price matters: Yale costs $4,913 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the 14 residential colleges
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
Yale University
3.7% accept · New Haven, Connecticut
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.