Ithaca, NY · Private Nonprofit

Cornell University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Cornell University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Strong value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$88,140
Net Price$28,690
Median Earnings$104,043
Graduation Rate95.4%
Median Debt$13,000
Admission Rate8.8%
Student Count15,995
SAT Average1,535

Cornell University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $28,690
Money available $0
Still needed per year $28,690
Monthly gap $2,391

Four-year projection: about $114,760 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $13,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$104,043Total cost$88,140Net price$28,690Median debt$13,000

Value Score Comparison

Cornell University75.6Dataset avg54.3NY avg57.6
Median earnings86% better than dataset average
$104,043
Total annual cost104% weaker than dataset average
$88,140
Average net price34% weaker than dataset average
$28,690
Graduation rate38.6 percentage points better than dataset average
95.4%
Median debt20% better than dataset average
$13,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

NY Average

Value Score: 57.6

Net Price: $24,306

Earnings: $63,973

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $28,690, compared with reported total cost of $88,140.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $104,043 and the graduation rate is 95.4%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $13,000, while the loan share is 17.8%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 8.8% and Pell Grant share is 18.4%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePrivate Nonprofit
LocationIthaca, NY
Admission Rate8.8%
In-State Tuition$69,314
Out-of-State Tuition$69,314
Total Cost$88,140
Net Price$28,690
Median Earnings$104,043
Graduation Rate95.4%
Median Debt$13,000
Pell Grant Share18.4%
Loan Share17.8%
Average Faculty Salary$17,953
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 40.0 + graduation 23.8 + net price 5.4 + total cost 0.0 + debt 6.3 = 75.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings40.0$104,043 · max 40 pts
Graduation23.895.4% · max 25 pts
Net Price5.4$28,690 · max 15 pts
Total Cost0.0$88,140 · max 10 pts
Debt6.3$13,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.