Cornell University Cost: Tuition, Financial Aid, and More

So, you Googled “Cornell University cost” and felt overwhelmed when you saw it’s around $96,268? Well, don’t stress just yet. Most students don’t actually pay the full amount.

Let’s break down the real cost of attending Cornell University—per year, per semester, and over four years. We’ll go through each part of the bill (like tuition, housing, meal plans, and more) and explain how financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce that number.

• Cornell University Cost of Attendance
• Cornell Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Cornell University Cost of Attendance

First, let’s look at the annual undergraduate cost of attendance at Cornell for 2025–26:

This total—$96,268—gives you a solid answer to how much it costs to go to Cornell University. Now let’s break down each piece of the Cornell University cost per year in more detail.

Cornell tuition

Tuition is the biggest part of the Cornell University cost. For 2025–26, undergraduate tuition for the Ithaca campus is $71,266 per year, or $35,633 per semester. If you’re a New York State resident attending one of the statutory colleges, your cost is lower at $48,010 per year.

Tuition tends to rise by a few percent each year, so expect this number to increase if you’re planning ahead. If you’re wondering how much it costs to go to Cornell University for 4 years, just tuition alone could total around $285,000 or more.

Cornell housing

Housing is a big part of the Cornell University cost per year, especially since all first-year and many second-year students are required to live on campus. For the 2025–26 academic year, the standard rate for a double room in a residence hall is $13,246, or $6,623 per semester. 

This rate covers not just the room but also utilities like gas, electricity, garbage pickup, and even internet service (up to 200 GB/month). But not all rooms cost the same.

Here’s a quick breakdown of housing rates based on your room type in the residence halls, program houses, or West Campus houses:

If you’re looking to save a bit or live in a more tight-knit setting, Cornell also offers cooperative housing (aka “co-ops”). These are run by students and have a shared responsibility model that helps keep costs down. Prices vary depending on the house, room type, and whether a meal/staples plan is included.

Here’s a quick look at co-op housing rates:

Co-ops are a great option if you’re looking for something more affordable, want to cook your own meals, or prefer a smaller, community-run living environment. But be aware that spots are limited, and rates can vary by room and house.

Laundry isn’t bundled into housing, but Cornell’s residence halls come with washers and dryers. Here’s what you’ll pay:

• Washers: $1.75 per cycle
• Dryers: $1.30 per cycle

Students can load money to their laundry accounts using the CSC Mobile App or a credit card. There’s also a bulk laundry and dry cleaning service through Lazybones, starting at $1.45 per pound for laundry and priced per item for dry cleaning.

Cornell meal plans

Meal plans are another major slice of the Cornell University cost pie, especially if you’re living on campus. For 2025–26, the Unlimited Plan is the standard for most first-year students and costs $7,328 per year (or $3,664 per semester). This plan gives you:

• Unlimited meals at any of the ten residential dining rooms during service hours
• $400 in Big Red Bucks (BRBs) per semester for snacks, drinks, and meals at on-campus cafés or eateries
• 8 bonus meals for guests each semester

It’s also required if you’re a first-year living in traditional campus housing.

But Cornell offers several other meal plans that cater to different needs and budgets. Some are for upper-level students, commuters, or those in cooperative or fraternity housing. Here’s a breakdown of the most common undergraduate meal plans for 2025–26:

Whether you’re a light eater, a heavy snacker, or someone who only survives because of breakfast sandwiches at 10:59 AM, there’s probably a plan that fits your style (and budget). Just keep in mind a few important rules when choosing a meal plan:

• Big Red Bucks (BRBs) can be used at campus cafés, convenience stores, and some vending machines.
• Many plans automatically renew and are billed per semester on your bursar account.
• First-year students don’t really get a choice—if you’re living in a traditional residence hall, you’re on the Unlimited Plan by default.
• City Bucks are extra funds tied to the South Campus Plan and work at local participating restaurants.

Keep in mind that unused meal swipes don’t roll over, so plan accordingly to get your money’s worth.

Books and supplies

Don’t forget about textbooks, course packets, and lab materials. Cornell estimates about $1,216 per year for books and supplies. That’s roughly $608 per semester. Depending on your major and course load, your personal number could be higher or lower.

Some classes use free digital materials, others require expensive hardcopy textbooks or specialized tools. It’s a good idea to budget for at least the average.

Personal expenses

This is where expenses like laundry, a phone plan, toiletries, or random Target runs come in. Cornell estimates $2,208 per year for personal expenses, which is around $1,104 per semester.

It’s a flexible category, but still worth budgeting for. Life happens, and having a little extra for personal needs makes college a lot less stressful.

Transportation

Transportation costs depend entirely on where you’re coming from. Cornell doesn’t assign a fixed amount here—they just say it “varies.” If you’re flying home for breaks, the cost can add up fast. If you live closer and take the bus or carpool, it’ll be less.

A reasonable estimate for travel could be $500–$1,000 a year for long-distance students. Add it to your Cornell University cost per year estimate if that applies to you.

Cornell Financial Aid and Scholarships

Here’s the good news: most students don’t actually pay the full Cornell University cost. Cornell is committed to making education affordable and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduates, no matter your citizenship or residency status.

Cornell does not offer merit-based scholarships. Every bit of aid is based on need. But their need-based packages are generous and thoughtfully designed to fit each family’s financial situation.

A typical financial aid package includes a mix of:

• Cornell institutional grants
• Endowed scholarships funded by alumni and donors
• Federal grants like Pell Grants
• New York State aid (for eligible NY residents)
• Work-study funds
• Low-interest or zero-interest student loans (depending on your income level)

No loans for lower-income families

If your family earns $75,000 or less per year and has typical assets, Cornell offers aid packages with no student loans and no expected parent or student contribution. That means:

• $0 expected family contribution
• $5,000 in work-study (which you can earn through part-time campus jobs)
• $0 in student loans

Many students from lower-income households can attend Cornell essentially loan-free, and in some cases, tuition, housing, and meals are fully covered.

Low loans for middle-income families

If your family earns more than $75,000 annually, you’re still likely to receive a strong aid offer. Cornell caps student loans at reasonable levels based on your family’s income.

Here’s a breakdown of the maximum student loan amount Cornell would include in your financial aid package:

So even if your household brings in over $125K, you won’t be stuck with huge debt. Most of the Cornell University cost will still be covered by grants and work-study.

Cornell includes loans only when necessary. Even then, they try to keep borrowing as low as possible. Loans are treated as a last resort and are always paired with other aid first. Students and parents can also apply for additional loans if they want to finance optional costs, like premium housing or study abroad.

Work-study

Cornell’s work-study program gives eligible students up to $5,000 per year to earn through part-time jobs on campus or with approved off-campus partners. You’ll be paid hourly and can use the money for books, personal expenses, or savings—whatever helps you most.

Veterans and military families

Cornell meets full need for all eligible undergraduates, including military-affiliated families. Veterans Education Benefits are available, and Cornell encourages military families to apply for both financial aid and VA benefits.

Emergency aid

Cornell has an Emergency Fund to help students cover unexpected expenses like medical bills, travel, or tech needs. If something big comes up and it’s not part of your standard budget, this fund may help you bridge the gap.

Cornell Net Price Calculator

Want to know what your actual Cornell University cost might be after financial aid? Try Cornell’s Net Price Calculator. It gives you a personalized estimate based on your family’s income, assets, and household size.

It’s not a final offer, but it’s a solid starting point. You’ll get a realistic idea of how much you might need to pay out of pocket and how much Cornell could cover through grants, work-study, and loans. It’s quick, free, and way less stressful than guessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does Cornell University cost per year for undergraduates?

The Cornell University cost per year for undergraduates is about $96,268 for 2025–26 if you’re an out-of-state student attending the Ithaca campus. This includes tuition, housing, meal plans, books, personal expenses, and transportation. If you’re in-state and attending one of Cornell’s statutory colleges, your annual cost will be lower—around $73,000.

2. What is the Cornell University cost per semester?

The Cornell University cost per semester is roughly $48,134 for out-of-state students, since the full yearly cost of attendance is split evenly across fall and spring. This includes billed expenses like tuition and housing, as well as estimated costs for supplies and personal expenses. Your exact Cornell University cost per semester will depend on your housing and meal plan choices.

3. How much does it cost to go to Cornell University for 4 years?

If you’re calculating how much it costs to go to Cornell University for 4 years without any financial aid, the total could reach $385,000 or more, assuming costs rise slightly each year. But with Cornell financial aid, most students pay far less.

4. What’s the best way to estimate my personal Cornell University cost?

The best way to estimate your real Cornell University cost is by using Cornell’s Net Price Calculator. It gives a personalized projection of the Cornell University cost per year after Cornell financial aid, based on your income and assets.

Takeaways

Still trying to figure out if the Cornell University cost is worth it or manageable? Here are the biggest takeaways to remember before you hit submit on that application:

• The full Cornell University cost per year is about $96,268 for undergrads in 2025–26, but most students don’t pay that full price thanks to financial aid.
• Tuition alone is $71,266, but don’t forget about the added costs of housing, meal plans, personal expenses, and travel. Those extras add up fast.
• Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and families earning under $75,000 often receive loan-free aid packages that cover most, if not all, major costs.
• There are lots of housing and meal plan options, including more affordable co-op living and flexible dining tiers, so you can shape the Cornell University cost to better fit your budget.
• Want help estimating your real Cornell University cost, maximizing aid, or building a smart application strategy? Talk to a college admissions consultant for expert, personalized guidance.