Cornell University Admits 5,824 Students to Class of 2029
Arkesh P.
Chief Operating Officer
Summary
Cornell has withheld the number of applicants for the Class of 2028 for the time being, only announcing the number of admitted applicants. While the full numbers haven’t been released, the application numbers and acceptance rates for both regular and early decision admissions have seen noticeable trends in recent years, indicating the increasing competitiveness of Cornell’s admissions process. Using a series of projections based on past trends, our strategists estimate Cornell has accepted ~7.5% of applicants to its Class of 2028.
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 | 68,000* | 5,139 | 7.5%* |
| Class of 2029 | TBA | 5,824 | TBA |
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 4,994 students was also a 4% increase from the year before.
- Predicted Increase in Acceptance Rate: With Cornell admitting 5,139 students last year, and based on an estimated ~68,000 applicants, our strategists projected a ~7.5% overall acceptance rate for Cornell's Class of 2028. This year, 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.
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 |
| 2028 | 58,480* | 3,403* | 5.8%* |
| 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 is likely to be close in numbers.
For Cornell's Class of 2028, our strategists estimate total RD round applications of ~58,500 (up just slightly from 58,331 last year), and total RD admits of ~3,400 (up 2% from last year).
For the past three years, the RD acceptance rate has hovered between 5% and 7%. Using these projections, we estimate an RD acceptance rate of 5.8% 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 30% lower than the estimated overall rate of 7.5%, 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 |
| 2028 | 9,520* | 1,736* | 18.2%* |
| 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 9,520 ED applications (compared to the previous year's 9,515 ED applicants) and 1,736 admits (slightly higher than last year's 1,670 ED admits, but lower than the number admitted two and three years ago).
Despite the decrease in the ED acceptance rate between Class of 2024-2028, the ED acceptance rate for this year is likely to remain significantly higher than the RD acceptance rate.
- 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, making strategic preparation essential.
Crimson Education specializes in helping ambitious students navigate this challenging process, offering tailored guidance to build compelling applications that reflect their authentic strengths and passions.
If you're a student or parent interested in Cornell or other top universities, speak with one of Crimson Education’s admissions advisors today and start charting your path to success.