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College comparison
Cornell vs Penn State
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Cornell Ithaca, NY |  Penn State University Park, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateCornell University is more selective | 9% | 61% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1500–1570 | 1240–1420 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 15,995 | 42,284 |
| Avg net price | $28,690 | $32,875 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Cornell reports higher median earnings | $104,043 | $63,435 |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 86% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $25,000 |
| Economic mobility | 2.9% | — |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Public |
Quick answers
- Is Cornell University or Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus harder to get into?
- Cornell University is more selective: Cornell University's acceptance rate is approximately 9% and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's is approximately 61% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Cornell University vs Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1500–1570 at Cornell University and 1240–1420 at Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.