Cornell University

What is the cost of studying for a year at Cornell University?

Cornell's published price is substantial, but the amount a student pays can differ greatly after grants. For the 2024-25 reporting year, the listed full-time undergraduate tuition, required fees, and typical living expenses were:

• Reported undergraduate tuition: $68,380.
• Required fees: $934.
• Typical room and board: $20,574 combined.
• Books and supplies: $1,216.

Those figures total $91,104 before transportation and personal expenses; they should not be treated as a complete cost-of-attendance budget. Room and board already includes both housing and meals, so adding separate room or meal figures again would double-count them. Cornell publishes newer budgets for each entering year, and tuition can vary by undergraduate college and New York residency: eligible New York residents in state-supported contract colleges may have a different tuition rate from students in endowed colleges. Graduate and professional programs have their own charges.

Need-based aid can change the calculation markedly. In the cited IPEDS data, the average net price was $4,070 for students from families earning up to $48,000, compared with $49,992 for those from families earning above $110,000. Those are averages for defined income groups, not individual aid quotes. Cornell provides institutional need-based aid and asks applicants to complete the aid forms required for their circumstances; eligible students may also receive federal or state grants, loans, or veterans' education benefits. An applicant should compare a current, college-specific cost-of-attendance budget with their own financial-aid offer, including its treatment of travel and health insurance.

What are the work-study opportunities at Cornell University?

Cornell students can seek part-time employment and career-development support, but a job, Federal Work-Study award, and internship are different arrangements. Federal Work-Study is need-based financial aid that permits an eligible student to earn wages through an approved job; the award is not a grant paid in full at the start of a term. Other campus jobs may be open without Work-Study eligibility.

Student positions can include work in academic departments, libraries, dining, and other university operations. Cornell's student employment resources provide information about openings and hiring requirements. Students considering outside work should account for class schedules, transportation, and any limits attached to their aid or immigration status.

Career services are available separately from student employment. Cornell offers career counseling, major and career exploration, résumé and interview help, employer events, job-search resources, and alumni networking opportunities. Some support is university-wide while colleges run additional advising tailored to their fields. These services can help students prepare applications and find opportunities; they are not a guarantee of an internship or job offer.