Cornell University

In 2022, tuition for full-time Cornell University students was $62,456 a year.

In 2022, tuition increased 3.6%–from $60,286 the previous year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams sound impossible, remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't tell the full story. Many students pay way less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you're done with college.

Cornell University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

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 colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a school where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save significant money on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Don't forget to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other New York colleges

Cornell University International Student Tuition

Cornell has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Cornell:

•Cornell-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.

Room and Board Costs at Cornell

Room and board at Cornell is $17,088 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Cornell's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facilities can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $17,088.

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

How Much Do Books Cost at Cornell?

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

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources for students with financial need to get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Cornell

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university 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, getting around in an urban area is sometimes pricey, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Cornell Universityis located in a small town setting in New York, near Syracuse.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Cornell University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Cornell.

Total Cost of Cornell

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$62,456
Room and Board	$17,088
Board Only	$17,088
Other expenses	$2,008

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

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$83,296
Off-Campus	$83,296

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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Financial Aid at Cornell University

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In 2022, 7,318 of the 15,503 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Cornell meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $55,604 a year. Around 38% of Cornell undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Cornell graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $26,865 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$13,657
Cornell-Specific Loans	$6,381
Private Loans	$55,641

Most Common Loans for Cornell 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 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 2022, Cornell awarded 7,174 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $371.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $2.1 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Cornell University Net Cost

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 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 was $55,604 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Cornell seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$27,692
Off-Campus	$27,692

What will attending Cornell 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 get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Cornell'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.

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

Cornell Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition 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.

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Learn More About Cornell University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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