Cornell University SAT and ACT scores
Ithaca, NY · private college · 16,051 undergraduates. These are the scores of first-year students who sent them; the college is test-optional, so students with lower scores often don't send them.
Updated October 29, 2026 · College Scorecard data release 06/10/2026
Test policy and the CLT
- SAT and ACT: Test-optional (considered, not required), as Cornell University reports it to the federal government. Check the college's admissions site for this year's rule.
- CLT: Not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Type a score to see how it compares with the middle 50% here.
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Questions people ask
What SAT score do you need for Cornell University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent SAT scores to Cornell University scored 1500 to 1570, with an average of 1535. A score at or above 1540 puts you in the upper half of that range. Scores below the range don't rule you out, but they make the rest of the application matter more.
What ACT score do you need for Cornell University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent ACT scores scored 33 to 35. A 35 or higher puts you in the top quarter of students who sent ACT scores.
Does Cornell University require the SAT or ACT?
Cornell University reports its test policy to the federal government as "Considered but not required". Policies change from year to year, so confirm on the college's admissions website before you apply.
Does Cornell University accept the CLT?
Cornell University is not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026. Ask its admissions office before sending CLT scores.
Colleges in New York with similar scores
- Columbia University in the City of New YorkSAT 1510–1580
- New York UniversitySAT 1480–1560
- Barnard CollegeSAT 1470–1560
- Jewish Theological Seminary of AmericaSAT 1440–1580
- Hamilton CollegeSAT 1450–1550
Colleges elsewhere with similar scores
- Amherst CollegeSAT 1490–1580
- Carnegie Mellon UniversitySAT 1500–1570
- Dartmouth CollegeSAT 1500–1570
- Duke UniversitySAT 1500–1570
- Harvey Mudd CollegeSAT 1500–1570
- Vanderbilt UniversitySAT 1500–1570
More about Cornell University
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: Cornell University (data release 06/10/2026; scores and test policy as reported by the college to IPEDS)
- Classic Learning Test, colleges that accept the CLT, read October 29, 2026
- CLT and SAT concordance and CLT and ACT concordance, read October 29, 2026