The average acceptance rate at Cornell over the past 10 years is 10.74%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 8.76%. Cornell is highly selective, and gaining admission is challenging for most applicants.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 59.96%, and the 2025 yield is 63.91%. Overall, the yield has increased by 26.91% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of Cornell applicants decreased by 4.03% (2,642 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 50.34% overall.
Key Takeaways: Cornell Admission Metrics
Acceptance Rate Overview
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 8.76%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that Cornell has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 63.91%. This rising yield trend demonstrates that Cornell is increasingly successful at converting admitted students into enrolled students. An increasing yield rate suggests stronger student preference for Cornell and indicates that the institution's admitted class quality and perceived value continue to improve.
Application Volume & Admission Trends
For the 2025 admission cycle, Cornell received approximately 62,993 applications, admitted 5,516 students, and enrolled 3,525 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that Cornell is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
Acceptance Rate Changes
Cornell 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at Cornell over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 10.74%, while the most recent rate stands at 8.76%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 8.76%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 9.41% and for women is 12.19%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at Cornell have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes
Cornell has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 50.36% in 2015 to 63.91% in 2025, representing a 26.91% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 59.96%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at Cornell from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 26.91% over this period.
Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 55,105, the average number of admitted is 5,701, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 3,401.
The number of Cornell applicants decreased by 4.03% (2,642 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 50.34% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Cornell University from 2015 to 2025.
Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares Cornell University' acceptance rate to similar schools.