Cornell admitted 8.4% of applicants for fall 2025 (6,077 of 72,523, Common Data Set 2025-26). Cornell admitted 19% of early decision applicants (1,889 of 10,057). Of the 6,598 students who took a spot on the wait list, 254 were admitted (3.8%). Cornell requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027.
The numbers
Applied
72,523
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
33–35
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
64%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$80
waivers exist
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Can I get into Cornell?
8.4% of applicants get in
Almost everyone who applies is turned down, including many students with perfect grades. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1490–1550 on the SAT.
Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.
72,523 applied, 6,077 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).
Does Cornell need the SAT or ACT?Required
Yes.
Required for fall 2027. Plan to take the SAT or ACT and send your best score.
Checked on admissions.cornell.edu Nov 2, 2026. See the source
Early rounds and deadlines
For fall 2025, 1,889 of 10,057 early decision applicants got in (19%), against 8.4% overall. Early decision is binding: if you get in, you go.
Closed
Early decisionBinding
Was due Nov 1, 2026
54days
Regular decision
Due Saturday, Jan 2, 2027
Early-round numbers: Common Data Set, fall 2025.
The wait list
9,720 students were offered a wait-list spot and 6,598 took one. 254 of them got in (3.8%).
Common Data Set, fall 2025.
What Cornell looks at
Counts most
How hard your classes were, essay, recommendations, activities, talent or ability, character.
Counts a lot
Class rank, GPA.
Also considered
SAT or ACT scores, interview, first in your family to go to college, A parent or relative went there, where you live, state residency, volunteering, work experience.
As Cornell rates each factor in its Common Data Set, fall 2025.
Questions people ask
What is Cornell University's acceptance rate?
Cornell admitted 8.4% of applicants for fall 2025 (6,077 of 72,523, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Cornell University?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1490–1550. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (Common Data Set, fall 2025).
Is it easier to get into Cornell University early decision?
For fall 2025, 1,889 of 10,057 early decision applicants got in (19%), against 8.4% overall. Early decision is binding: if you get in, you go. Early applicants often include recruited athletes and legacies, so the gap overstates the advantage for most students.
Does Cornell University take students off the wait list?
9,720 students were offered a wait-list spot and 6,598 took one. 254 of them got in (3.8%).
Where these numbers come from
Admit rate and applicants: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
GPA, early rounds and wait list: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
