Cornell University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Cornell was $65,204 a year.

Tuition increased 4.4% in 2023–from $62,456 the prior year. On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college seem daunting, remember, the displayed price of tuition does not mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until you're done with college.

Cornell University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Cornell University full-time are awarded $59,644 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $28,408 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Cornell University

Cornell University is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for students from New York as it does for students who live in other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing an insitution where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the overall cost of college. Be sure to check your state's criteria for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other New York colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Cornell University?

Tuition at Cornell University is the same for each student.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or Cornell University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Cornell University:

•Cornell University-specific scholarships

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Cornell University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Cornell University.

House and Food Costs at Cornell University

Housing and campus dining at Cornell University is $18,554 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat in the Cornell University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facilities can pay for a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $17,088.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Cornell University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer resources so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area can be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Cornell University campus is located in a town in New York, near Syracuse.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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The Full Cost of Attending Cornell University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Cornell University.

How Much Does Cornell University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Cornell University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$65,204
Room and Board	$18,554
Board Only	$17,088
Other expenses	$2,218

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$86,786
Off-Campus	$85,320

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Cornell University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 7,611 of the 15,735 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Cornell University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $59,644 a year. Around 37% of Cornell University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Cornell University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,408 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$13,502
Cornell University-Specific Loans	$6,248
Private Loans	$61,531

Most Common Loans for Cornell University Students
Federal Loans	35%
Institutional Loans	23%
Private loans	7%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Cornell University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Cornell University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Cornell University awarded 7,420 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $397 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $2.21 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Cornell University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Cornell University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Cornell University was $59,644 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Cornell University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$27,142
Off-Campus	$25,676

What will attending Cornell University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Cornell University's net cost calculator on their website.

Cornell University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Cornell University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Cornell Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Cornell University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Cornell University's endowment was valued at $9.3 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million.

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Learn More About Cornell University

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