Cost to Attend

Costs & Affordability

Whether you’re starting your college search or adding the finishing touches to your application essay, there’s good news: financial aid can significantly lower the cost of attending.  Cornell’s student aid programs ensure a world-class university experience is accessible and affordable for all eligible students.

What is included in your Estimated Cost of Attendance?

Cornell’s estimated cost of attendance includes costs billed by the university (such as tuition and fees), and non-billed costs (such as books and personal expenses) a typical, full-time student may encounter in a traditional academic year – fall and spring semesters (such as books, course materials, personal expenses, and transportation).

The estimated cost of attendance, sometimes called the “sticker price,” is not the price an eligible financial aid applicant pays to attend Cornell. Rather, it is an estimate of the total costs to attend before financial aid is applied.

Your estimated cost of attendance is tailored specifically for you each academic year based on a variety of information provided in your annual aid application materials, including: your undergraduate college, academic program, New York state residency, and on- or off-campus housing plans, and other factors.

2024-25 Undergraduate Estimated Cost of Attendance

Estimated Expense Annual Amount
Billed by Cornell
Tuition $68,380
Mandatory Fees* $934
Housing $12,296
Food $7,132
Sub-Total, Billed $88,742
Not billed by Cornell
Books & Course Materials $1,226
Personal Expenses $2,182
Sub-Total, Non-Billed $3,408
Total, Billed + Non-Billed $92,150

*Mandatory Fees include the student activity fee ($384) and the Cornell Health Fee ($550).

**Expenses for housing, food, books, and other supplies may be billed or non-billed costs, depending on housing plans and participation in Cornell's Academic Materials Program.

Estimated Expense Annual Amount
Billed by Cornell
Tuition $68,380
Mandatory Fees* $934
Housing $12,296
Food $7,132
Sub-Total, Billed $88,742
Not billed by Cornell
Books & Course Materials $1,226
Personal Expenses $2,182
Sub-Total, Non-Billed $3,408
Total, Billed + Non-Billed $92,150

*Mandatory Fees include the student activity fee ($384) and the Cornell Health Fee ($550).

**Expenses for housing, food, books, and other supplies may be billed or non-billed costs, depending on housing plans and participation in Cornell's Academic Materials Program.

Estimated Expense Annual Amount
Billed by Cornell
Tuition $43,888
Mandatory Fees* $934
Housing $12,296
Food $7,132
Sub-Total, Billed $66,418
Not billed by Cornell
Books & Course Materials $1,226
Personal Expenses $2,182
Sub-Total, Non-Billed $3,408
Total, Billed + Non-Billed $69,826

*Mandatory Fees include the student activity fee ($384) and the Cornell Health Fee ($550).

**Expenses for housing, food, books, and other supplies may be billed or non-billed costs, depending on housing plans and participation in Cornell's Academic Materials Program.

Additional Expenses

  • Transportation: Estimated annual costs associated with transportation to and from campus are assessed by region.
  • Health Insurance: Students not already covered by health insurance that meets Cornell's health insurance requirements, along with international students, are required to purchase the Cornell Student Health Plan.

Try Cornell's Financial Aid Calculators

Explore Cornell’s Net Price and Quick Cost Calculators

Undergraduate Tuition at Cornell Endowed vs. NY State Contract Colleges and Schools

Several of Cornell’s undergraduate colleges and schools are established by an act of the New York State Legislature, are operated by Cornell, and receive direct funding under contract with New York State. New York residents attending undergraduate programs in Cornell’s NY State contract colleges and schools are eligible for the NY state contract college tuition rate.

Cornell’s NY State contract college tuition rate applies to undergraduate programs in:

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management*
  • College of Human Ecology
  • School of Industrial and Labor Relations
  • Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy** (Bachelor of Science candidates only)

Cornell’s endowed college tuition rate applies to undergraduate programs in:

  • College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • College of Engineering
  • SC Johnson College of Business
  • Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
  • Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy**

*The Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management is a shared school between the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

**The Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy is a hybrid academic unit that partners with contract and endowed colleges to offer undergraduate programs.

2024-25 Graduate & Professional Estimated Costs of Attendance

Looking for estimated costs of attendance for Cornell graduate or professional schools? Please visit the Graduate and Professional Schools costs of attendance page.
Estimated Costs of Attendance, Graduate & Professional Schools