Cornell Acceptance Rate: Class of 2030 (Latest)

Cornell admitted 8.4% of applicants for the Class of 2028. This marks a slight increase from the 7.9% and 7.3% rates of the prior two cycles, though Class of 2030 figures are not out yet to confirm a lasting trend. Total applications also fell to 65,612 from a high of 71,164 for the Class of 2026.

Cornell Acceptance Rate: Class of 2028

Official Class of 2030 figures are not public yet. The most recent cycle with Common Data Set numbers is the Class of 2028, when Cornell admitted 5,516 of 65,612 applicants, an acceptance rate of 8.4%.[1] This page is updated as soon as the Class of 2030 figures are published.

Cornell Acceptance Rate by Year

Across the 7 cycles with official figures, the acceptance rate has fallen from 10.6% (Class of 2022) to 8.4% (Class of 2028).[1]

Class	Applied	Admitted	Acceptance rate
2028	65,612	5,516	8.4%
2027	67,846	5,358	7.9%
2026	71,164	5,168	7.3%
2025	67,380	5,852	8.7%
2024	51,500	5,514	10.7%
2023	49,114	5,330	10.9%
2022	51,324	5,448	10.6%

Cornell Waitlist Statistics

For the Class of 2028, Cornell offered a waitlist place to 8,103 applicants, of whom 6,190 accepted it, and 388 were ultimately admitted.[1] That is a 6.3% admit rate among students who stayed on the list.

Class	Offered a place	Accepted a place	Admitted off the waitlist
2028	8,103	6,190	388
2027	8,282	6,166	362
2026	7,729	5,531	260
2025	7,746	5,800	24
2024	6,750	4,791	190
2023	4,948	3,362	147
2022	6,683	4,546	164

Admitted Student Test Scores (Class of 2028)

The middle 50% of enrolled students scored:[1]

• SAT (combined mid-50%): 1500–1570 (EBRW 730–770, Math 770–800)
• ACT composite (mid-50%): 33–35

The combined SAT range is the sum of the two section ranges, not a true composite percentile.

Cornell Yield Rate

Of the 5,516 students admitted to the Class of 2028, 3,525 enrolled, a yield rate of 63.9%.[1] Yield is what the university is really managing when it sets an admit rate, so it moves the acceptance rate more than application volume does.

Class	Admitted	Enrolled	Yield
2028	5,516	3,525	63.9%
2027	5,358	3,537	66.0%
2026	5,168	3,491	67.6%
2025	5,852	3,718	63.5%
2024	5,514	3,249	58.9%
2023	5,330	3,189	59.8%
2022	5,448	3,295	60.5%

What to Expect for the Class of 2030

Over the three most recent official classes (2026–2028) the acceptance rate at Cornell has sat between 7.3%–8.4%.

That band is what the school has actually done recently, not a prediction. A single cycle can break it: a change to testing policy, a new direct-admission program, or a jump in application volume moves the rate more than any trend would.

What This Means for Your Application

• Submit strong test scores: Aim for the middle SAT range of 1500 to 1570 or an ACT composite of 33 to 35 to remain competitive.
• Have a backup plan: Only 388 students were admitted from the waitlist for the Class of 2028 out of the 6,190 who accepted a spot.
• Expect high yield rates: Cornell yielded 63.9% of its accepted students for the Class of 2028, meaning most admitted applicants choose to enroll.
• Maximize your math score: Math expectations are exceptionally high, with the middle SAT math range sitting at a nearly perfect 770 to 800.