College comparison

Cornell vs Purdue

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	Purdue West Lafayette, IN
Acceptance rateCornell University is more selective	9%	50%
SAT (25–75)	1500–1570	1200–1480
ACT (25–75)	—	—
Undergrad enrollment	15,995	44,503
Avg net price	$28,690	$14,600
Median earnings (10 yr)Cornell reports higher median earnings	$104,043	$72,424
Graduation rate	95%	83%
Median debt	$14,000	$19,500
Economic mobility	2.9%	—
Test policy	—	—
Type	Private (nonprofit)	Public

Quick answers

Is Cornell University or Purdue University-Main Campus harder to get into?

Cornell University is more selective: Cornell University's acceptance rate is approximately 9% and Purdue University-Main Campus's is approximately 50% (estimates from public and primary sources).

What SAT score do you need for Cornell University vs Purdue University-Main Campus?

The middle-50% SAT range is 1500–1570 at Cornell University and 1200–1480 at Purdue 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.