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College Comparison

Cornell University vs UCLA: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

School

UCLA

Los Angeles, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricCornellUCLA
Acceptance Rate8.2%wins8.7%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1480–1560winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$66,014$44,524wins
Avg Net Price$32,337$14,013wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$104,043wins$82,511
Graduation Rate95.1%wins92.7%
Retention Rate97.8%wins96.8%
Student–Faculty Ratio9:1wins18:1
Total Enrollment15,93533,040wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Cornell edges out UCLA on 6 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Cornell Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 8.2%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1480–1560
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $104,043
  • Graduation Rate: 95.1%

UCLA Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $44,524
  • Avg Net Price: $14,013
  • Total Enrollment: 33,040

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