What SAT score do you need for Cornell? (Middle 50%: 1490–1550)
First-year students at Cornell who sent an SAT scored 1490–1550, with a median of 1530 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Cornell admits 8.8% of applicants and requires the SAT or ACT.
Where your score lands at Cornell
First-year students who sent an SAT: 1490–1550, median 1530
Middle 50% of admitted students Median
Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Cornell is for you and whether to send your score.
Cornell by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 8.8%
- Middle 50% SAT
- 1490–1550
- Median SAT
- 1530
- About on the ACT
- 34–35
- Sent an SAT
- 43%
Test required · checked Nov 9, 2026 · Cornell admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS
Cornell admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 50%, from 41,900 in 2015 to 62,993 in 2024, and Cornell's admit rate went from 15% to 8.8%.
- 15%
- 8.8%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 62,993 | 5,516 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 65,635 | 5,358 | 8.2% |
| 2022 | 69,195 | 5,168 | 7.5% |
| 2021 | 67,380 | 5,852 | 8.7% |
| 2020 | 51,500 | 5,514 | 11% |
| 2019 | 49,114 | 5,330 | 11% |
| 2018 | 51,324 | 5,448 | 11% |
| 2017 | 47,039 | 5,962 | 13% |
| 2016 | 44,965 | 6,337 | 14% |
| 2015 | 41,900 | 6,315 | 15% |
In fall 2024, 3,525 of the 5,516 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
What each SAT score means at Cornell
Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.
- Under 1550Far reachRequired
- 1550 and upReachRequired
Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.
Cornell SAT sections, ACT and class rank
Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.
| Test | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 770 | 790 | 800 |
| SAT Reading and Writing | 730 | 750 | 770 |
| SAT total | 1490 | 1530 | 1550 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 34 | 35 |
Of enrolled first-year students, 43% sent an SAT and 13% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.
- Top 10% of their class
- 84%
- of new students who reported a rank
Cornell waitlist
Waitlist
9,720 applicants were offered a spot, 6,598 took it, and 254 were admitted from it.
3.8%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in
Common Data Set 2025–26.
Cornell cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $28,690
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 95%
- Median earnings
- $104,043
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 16,662
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like Cornell
Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.
- NYUNew York, NY · 9.2% admitted1480–1550, median 1520
- BarnardNew York, NY · 8.8% admitted1480–1540, median 1510
- AmherstAmherst, MA · 9.0% admitted1500–1560, median 1540
- WilliamsWilliamstown, MA · 8.3% admitted1490–1550, median 1520
- RiceHouston, TX · 8.0% admitted1510–1560, median 1540
- VanderbiltNashville, TN · 5.9% admitted1510–1560, median 1530
More colleges in New York
Sources
- Cornell Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- Cornell admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
- Cornell website
Cornell University
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
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