Harvard University vs Cornell University

Cambridge, MA · Ithaca, NY · largest Scorecard gap: acceptance rate

Scorecard match plate

Pair MA:NY

PRIVATE-NP-PAIR · CROSS-STATE · ACCEPT-TIGHT · NET-SPLIT · EARN-PAR · DEBT-PAR · COMPLETE-HIGH · GAP-ACCEPT

  • PRIVATE-NP-PAIR Private nonprofit pair
  • CROSS-STATE MA × NY
  • ACCEPT-TIGHT Tight admission
  • NET-SPLIT Net-price split
  • EARN-PAR Earnings near-par
  • DEBT-PAR Debt near-par
  • COMPLETE-HIGH High completion
  • GAP-ACCEPT Largest gap · Acceptance Rate

Instrument codes from this pair's College Scorecard ownership, geography, acceptance, net price, earnings, debt, and completion, plus the ENROLL-1SIDE · modest · 2013–2023 decade-path stamp below, not a ranking or recommendation.

Decade path · College Scorecard

Only one enrollment path is a trend

ENROLL-1SIDE · modest · 2013–2023

Size changed directionally at one school over 2013–2023; the peer's series stays a range. Both acceptance rates still tightened, so the shared frame is selectivity, not enrollment.

  • Cornell University: enrollment grew +11.4% over 2013–2023; fitted +168 students/yr fitted, r² 0.87.
  • Harvard University: enrollment ranged 6,099–7,973 (2013–2023, 11 points) without a stable fitted direction.
  • Harvard University: acceptance rate tightened -40.9% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.89).
  • Cornell University: acceptance rate tightened -47.6% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.94).

College Scorecard institution series; dollars are nominal. Direction claims require r² ≥ 0.40 on the fitted annual slope, otherwise the page reports the observed range. Descriptive history, not a recommendation.

Scorecard metrics

Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair · 1 tied metrics omitted. Teal = better side.

Largest gaps: Harvard University vs Cornell University

  1. ACCEPTANCE-RATE Harvard University leads on acceptance rate (3.6% vs 8.8% at Cornell University)
  2. AVG-NET-PRICE Harvard University leads on avg net price ($19,066 vs $28,690 at Cornell University)
  3. MEDIAN-EARNINGS-(6 Harvard University leads on median earnings (6 yr) ($99,572 vs $87,830 at Cornell University)

Harvard University profile · Cornell University profile · Compare other colleges

Also on the Scorecard board

Acceptance Rate and other Scorecard questions

On acceptance rate, who leads between Harvard University and Cornell University?▼
Harvard University leads on acceptance rate at 3.6% versus 8.8% at Cornell University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On avg net price, who leads between Harvard University and Cornell University?▼
Harvard University leads on avg net price at $19,066 versus $28,690 at Cornell University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On median earnings (6 yr), who leads between Harvard University and Cornell University?▼
Harvard University leads on median earnings (6 yr) at $99,572 versus $87,830 at Cornell University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt); acceptance rate focus for this pair · 2025