Cornell University: A Legacy of Innovation and Academic Excellence

Founded on the bold vision that any person should be able to find instruction in any study, Cornell University stands as a premier private land-grant research institution. Established on April 27, 1865, by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, the university has evolved from a pioneering 19th-century experiment into a global powerhouse of education and research.

With a massive endowment of $11.8 billion as of 2025 and a diverse student body of over 26,000, Cornell blends the prestige of the Ivy League with a practical, land-grant mission to serve the public good. Its influence extends from the scenic gorges of Ithaca to the urban hubs of New York City and the international landscape of Doha, Qatar.

The ivy-covered emblem of Ezra Cornell and university motto

Key Facts

Founded: April 27, 1865, by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White.
Type: Private land-grant research university.
Affiliations: Member of the Ivy League and the Association of American Universities (AAU).
Campuses: Primary campus in Ithaca, NY, with additional campuses in New York City and Doha, Qatar.
Student Population: 26,793 total students (Fall 2024), comprising 16,128 undergraduates and 10,665 postgraduates.
Financials: $11.8 billion endowment (2025) and a $5.4 billion budget (2023).

Campus Landscapes and Facilities

Willard Straight Hall on the Cornell campus, which was occupied by armed anti-Vietnam War protesters in 1969, leading to the resignation of James Alfred Perkins, Cornell's seventh president

The Ithaca Campus

The heart of the university is its 745-acre Ithaca campus, divided into Central, North, and West sections. The campus is renowned for its integration with nature, featuring breathtaking gorges and the Cornell Botanic Gardens, which are used for both recreation and conservation research.

The Arts Quad on Cornell's main campus with McGraw Tower and Olin and Uris libraries in the background

Architectural landmarks define the student experience, from the historic McGraw Tower and the A.D. White Reading Room in Uris Library to the modern Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, designed by I. M. Pei. Spiritual and commemorative spaces, such as Sage Chapel—the final resting place of Ezra Cornell—provide a sense of continuity and reflection.

Sage Chapel on the Cornell campus, which hosts religious services and concerts and is the final resting place of Ezra Cornell, the university's founder

New York City and Global Presence

Cornell's reach extends far beyond Ithaca. Weill Cornell Medicine, the university's medical school, is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. In 2017, the university launched Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island, a specialized graduate campus and research center focused on the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship.

Cornell Tech, founded in 2017 on Roosevelt Island in New York City

Additionally, Cornell maintains a presence in Midtown Manhattan through various programs based in the General Electric Building and the Cornell Club of New York, which serves as a hub for alumni. The university also operates the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, expanding its medical education footprint globally.

Weill Cornell Medicine, the medical school of Cornell University, is located on the East River on the Upper East Side of New York City.

Academic Structure and Research

Ho Plaza seen from McGraw Tower with Sage Hall and Barnes Hall in the background

Cornell is organized into a wide array of specialized colleges and schools, reflecting its "any person, any study" philosophy. This structure allows for deep specialization across disciplines ranging from agriculture to public policy.

Cornell University Academic Divisions
College or School	Year Founded
Arts and Sciences	1865
Architecture, Art, and Planning	1871
Engineering	1870
Agriculture and Life Sciences	1874
Law	1887
Veterinary Medicine	1894
Medicine	1898
Hotel Administration	1922
Industrial and Labor Relations	1945
Business	1946
Medical Sciences	1952
Tech	2011
Computing and Information Science	2020
Public Policy	2021

Research at Cornell is world-class, supported by facilities like the Center for Advanced Computing—one of the original National Science Foundation Supercomputer Centers—and the Dendrochronology Lab, where researchers use tree-ring dating to analyze archaeological artifacts.

Cornell's Center for Advanced Computing, one of the five original centers of the National Science Foundation's Supercomputer Centers Program

Student Life and Culture

Cornell West Campus near Baker Hall South

Student life at Cornell is a blend of rigorous academics and vibrant traditions. One of the most enduring customs is Dragon Day, founded in 1901, where first-year architecture students parade a massive, student-built dragon through the campus.

Dragon Day (founded 1901) features a student-built dragon paraded through campus by first-year architecture students.

The university boasts a diverse student population, with significant representation from Asian (21%), Hispanic (15%), and Black (7%) communities, alongside a substantial international student body. Students engage in a wide variety of activities, from Greek life and professional societies to traditional folk dances like Raas.

Cornell students performing a Raas, a traditional folk dance from India, in 2008

Athletically, Cornell competes in the Ivy League as part of NCAA Division I FCS. The "Big Red" spirit is evident at venues like Schoellkopf Field, the university's outdoor stadium used for football and commencement ceremonies.

Cornell's commencement ceremony at Schoellkopf Field, the university's on-campus outdoor stadium, in 2008

Admissions and Global Standing

Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island in New York City, a graduate campus and research center

Admission to Cornell is highly competitive. For the 2024 entering class, the admit rate was 8.4%, with a yield rate of 63%. The university attracts top-tier talent, with 85.6% of admitted students ranking in the top 10% of their high school class.

This selectivity is reflected in Cornell's global rankings. The university consistently places among the top 20 institutions worldwide, ranking 12th in the ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities) and 16th in the QS World University Rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Over a dozen Cornell University programs are based in the General Electric Building in Midtown Manhattan.[82]

The Cornell Club of New York in Manhattan, a focal point for alumni

A World War I memorial on Cornell's West Campus in Ithaca

Cornell's Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, designed by I. M. Pei

The sarcophagus of Jennie McGraw, a Cornell benefactor, in Sage Chapel

Cornell University's 1920 graduation ceremony

The A.D. White Reading Room in Uris Library, which contains much of the 30,000-volume collection donated to the university by its co-founder and first president

Cornell Law Library, one of 12 national depositories for the print records of briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court

Cornell Botanic Gardens, adjacent to the Ithaca campus, used for conservation research and recreation

In the basement of Goldwin Smith Hall, researchers in the Dendrochronology Lab determine the age of artifacts found at archaeological digs.

The interior windows of Barton Hall, an on-campus field house

Fuertes Observatory on Cornell North Campus

One of several footbridges that span Cornell's gorges

Risley Residential College on Cornell North Campus

Cornell football vs. Harvard at Harvard Stadium in October 2019

What is the meaning of Cornell's motto?

The motto, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study," reflects the founders' commitment to accessibility and a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to education.

Where are Cornell's campuses located?

The main campus is in Ithaca, New York. The university also has significant campuses in New York City (including Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell Tech) and an international presence in Doha, Qatar.

Is Cornell part of the Ivy League?

Yes, Cornell is a member of the Ivy League, competing in NCAA Division I FCS athletics and maintaining the high academic standards associated with the conference.

What is a land-grant university?

A land-grant university is an institution established by the federal government to provide practical education in agriculture, science, and engineering, ensuring that higher education is accessible to a broader range of students beyond the traditional liberal arts.

How competitive is the undergraduate admission process?

Admission is very competitive; for the 2024 class, the acceptance rate was 8.4%, with the middle 50% of SAT Math scores ranging from 770 to 800.