College comparison

Cornell vs UNC

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	UNC Chapel Hill, NC
Acceptance rateCornell University is more selective	9%	15%
SAT (25–75)	1500–1570	1390–1530
ACT (25–75)	—	—
Undergrad enrollment	15,995	20,752
Avg net price	$28,690	$11,655
Median earnings (10 yr)Cornell reports higher median earnings	$104,043	$72,200
Graduation rate	95%	91%
Median debt	$14,000	$14,000
Economic mobility	2.9%	—
Test policy	—	—
Type	Private (nonprofit)	Public

Quick answers

Is Cornell University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill harder to get into?

Cornell University is more selective: Cornell University's acceptance rate is approximately 9% and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's is approximately 15% (estimates from public and primary sources).

What SAT score do you need for Cornell University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The middle-50% SAT range is 1500–1570 at Cornell University and 1390–1530 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 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.