Cornell University Admits 5,824 Students to Class of 2029
Arkesh P.
Chief Operating Officer
Summary
While Cornell is not reporting acceptance rate results for the Class of 2029, the school's acceptance rate has hovered between 7–10% in recent admissions cycles. Early Decision applicants benefit from a clear advantage, with acceptance rates near 17%, compared to a Regular Decision rate that generally falls between 5% and 7%
While Cornell hasn’t released full data, application numbers and acceptance rates for both Regular and Early Decision admissions show clear trends:
Cornell University Overall Acceptance Rate
| *Estimated | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of First-Year Applications | Accepted Students | Acceptance Rate | |
| Class of 2024 | 51,485 | 5,496 | 10.67% |
| Class of 2025 | 67,380 | 5,852 | 8.69% |
| Class of 2026 | 71,164 | 4,908 | 6.90% |
| Class of 2027 | 67,846 | 4,994 | 7.36% |
| Class of 2028 | 65,612 | 5,139 | 8.4% |
| Class of 2029 | 64,900* | 5,824 | 8.9%* |
Key Trends
- Further increase in acceptances: This year's 5,824 students is a further increase from last year's number, given that last year's 5,516 students was also a 3% increase from the year before.
- Predicted Increase in Acceptance Rate: With Cornell admitting 5,516 students last year, out of 65,612 applicants, the acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was only 8.4%. For the Class of 2029, official numbers have not been reported yet. But, with the increase of admitted students and the overall decrease in applicants to the Ivy League, it's likely this acceptance rate has slightly increased. Our strategists predict a slight decrease in applicants, down to 64,900 (estimated), for the Class of 2029, resulting in an estimated acceptance rate of 8.9%.
Broader Admissions Trends:
- Increasing Overall Selectivity: Despite an estimated slight uptick for Class of 2028 and 2029, a look at the overall acceptance rate spotlights an increasingly competitive admissions landscape at Cornell. The overall acceptance rate at Cornell is down from 10.5% five years ago, to 6.9%.
- ED Advantage: Students who apply Early Decision can benefit from an acceptance rate closer to 17% or higher, compared to a around 5-7% for RD applicants.
Cornell's admissions remain fiercely competitive, demanding not only exceptional academic performance but also evidence of meaningful engagement and genuine passion. Applicants should focus on standing out authentically rather than merely fitting into a perceived mold.
Cornell's Regular Decision Acceptance Rate
Cornell's Regular Decision Acceptance Statistics
| *Estimated | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of | RD Applicants | RD Accepted | RD Acceptance Rate |
| 2029 | 56,520* | 3,950* | 7.0%* |
| 2028 | 57,210* | 3,590* | 6.2%* |
| 2027 | 58,331 | 3,324 | 5.70% |
| 2026 | 61,609 | 3,077 | 4.99% |
| 2025 | 58,363 | 3,922 | 6.72% |
| 2024 | 44,870 | 3,920 | 8.74% |
Cornell hasn't published a breakdown of the RD acceptance rate since Class of 2027. With that said, we've made some predictions for Class of 2028, and Class of 2029 acceptance rate results are likely to look similar to the prior year.
For Cornell's Class of 2028, our strategists estimate total RD round applications of ~57,210 (down slightly from 58,331 last year), and total RD admits of ~3,590.
For the past three years, the RD acceptance rate has hovered between 5% and 7%. Using these figures, we estimate an RD acceptance rate of 6.2% at Cornell for Class of 2028, and the RD acceptance rate this year is likely to hover around the same number.
This makes the RD acceptance rate about 28% lower than the estimated overall rate of 8.4%, providing a more accurate reflection of the real level of competition you face when applying RD.
Cornell's Early Decision Acceptance Rate
Cornell's Early Decision Acceptance Statistics
| *Estimated | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of | ED Applicants | ED Accepted | ED Acceptance Rate |
| 2029 | 8,380* | 1,874* | 22%* |
| 2028 | 8,400* | 1,550* | 18.4%* |
| 2027 | 9,515 | 1,670 | 17.55% |
| 2026 | 9,555 | 1,831 | 19.16% |
| 2025 | 9,017 | 1,930 | 21.40% |
| 2024 | 6,615 | 1,576 | 23.82% |
Cornell’s Early Decision acceptance rate has consistently declined every year over the past 4 years until Class of 2028.
For Cornell's Class of 2028, our strategists projected about 8,400 ED applications (compared to the previous year's 9,515 ED applicants) and 1,550 admits (slightly lower than last year's 1,670 ED admits, and lower than the number admitted two and three years ago).
Despite the decrease in the ED acceptance rate between Class of 2024-2027, our strategists estimate the ED acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was likely to go up slightly from the prior year, up to 18.4% (estimated) from 17.5% for the Class of 2027. If our strategists projections for a decrease in the total number of applicants holds true for the Class of 2029, that would result in an estimated additional ED acceptance rate increase for the Class of 2029, up to 22% (estimated), compared to a RD acceptance rate of 7% (estimated).
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early Decision applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Cornell your strong interest in joining their academic community.
Final Thoughts
If you're a prospective student thinking about Cornell, be sure to check out our full guide on How To Get Into Cornell!
Otherwise, congratulations to all students admitted to Cornell's Class of 2029—your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence.
For those considering applying to Cornell in the future, the admissions landscape is increasingly competitive, so strategic preparation essential.
Crimson Education specializes in helping ambitious students navigate this challenging process, offering tailored admissions consulting to help students build compelling applications that reflect their authentic strengths and passions.
Ready to boost your odds for success? If you're a student or parent interested in Cornell or other top universities, schedule your free consultation today and start charting a path to your dream school.
Still not sure if Crimson is right for you?
You can learn more about our student results, and get insights into our consulting expertise by joining one some our our bespoke admissions webinars and events.
