Between July 2023 and June 2024, 3,877 students graduated with bachelor’s degrees from Cornell University. That’s a lot of caps tossed in the air, but some programs clearly drew bigger crowds than others.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the 10 most popular majors at Cornell. You’ll see how many students graduated in each program and why these fields stand out on campus.
- What Are the Most Popular Majors at Cornell?
- Computer and Information Sciences at Cornell
- Business/Marketing at Cornell
- Engineering at Cornell
- Agriculture at Cornell
- Biological and Life Sciences at Cornell
- Social Sciences at Cornell
- Psychology at Cornell
- Interdisciplinary Studies at Cornell
- Architecture at Cornell
- Physical Sciences at Cornell
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
What Are the Most Popular Majors at Cornell?
The table below, based on Cornell’s 2024–2025 Common Data Set, shows the percentage of bachelor’s degrees awarded by discipline in 2024. We also included an estimate of how many graduates that percentage represents, calculated out of the 3,877 total bachelor’s degrees awarded.
| Major | Share of Cornell Bachelor’s Degrees | Estimated Number of Graduates (out of 3,877) |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 17.88% | 693 |
| Business/Marketing | 14.38% | 558 |
| Engineering | 13.15% | 510 |
| Agriculture | 10.96% | 425 |
| Biological/Life Sciences | 9.83% | 381 |
| Social Sciences | 7.64% | 296 |
| Psychology | 3.24% | 126 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 3.11% | 121 |
| Architecture | 2.83% | 110 |
| Physical Sciences | 2.60% | 101 |
At Cornell, Computer Science is the clear leader because it’s offered in both the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences. That flexibility attracts students with very different goals, from theory-driven research to applied tech careers.
The program’s national #7 ranking, combined with faculty strengths in AI, databases, and robotics, adds to its pull. On top of that, students join hackathons, project teams, and connect with Cornell Tech in New York City. With so many pathways built into one program, it consistently produces more graduates than any other major on campus.
Computer and Information Sciences at Cornell
Computer and Information Sciences sit at the very top of the most popular majors at Cornell, accounting for nearly 18% of all degrees. What sets Cornell apart is how the program spans multiple colleges.
Students can major in Computer Science through Engineering or Arts and Sciences, and they can also pursue Information Science across Arts and Sciences or Computing and Information Science. That flexibility alone makes the field accessible to a wide range of students.
Cornell’s program is also one of the highest ranked in the country. U.S. News places it #7 nationally in Computer Science, with standout rankings of #7 in Artificial Intelligence, #3 in Programming Language, #9 in Systems, and #3 in Theory. These rankings reflect both the program’s academic strength and its faculty expertise in cutting-edge fields.
Some highlights include:
- Courses like CS 1110 and CS 3410 that have become staples for students across campus.
- Hackathons and clubs like Cornell AppDev and the Association of Computer Science Undergraduates.
- A direct link to Cornell Tech in New York City, where students connect with the startup ecosystem.
With job markets hungry for tech talent, Cornell’s reputation for rigorous but innovative training, and a QS Employer Reputation score of 80.3, it’s easy to see why Computer Science is the most popular major at Cornell.
Business/Marketing at Cornell
Business and Marketing are the second most popular majors at Cornell, representing about 14% of graduates. Unlike at many Ivy League schools, Cornell offers specialized undergraduate business programs, and they attract students in large numbers.
The Dyson School’s Applied Economics and Management (AEM) major and the Nolan School of Hotel Administration are the crown jewels here. Students get a strong foundation in economics, finance, and management, but also have the chance to focus on areas like sustainable business, agribusiness, or international trade.
The Hotel School, meanwhile, is globally recognized as a leader in hospitality education, ranked #15 in the world for Hospitality & Leisure Management by QS.
What makes it distinctive is the way students apply what they learn: they manage on-campus restaurants and even operate a teaching hotel, which allows them to combine academic coursework with real-world practice that prepares them for leadership in hospitality.
Cornell’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management (the Johnson School) also strengthens the university’s reputation in business. While primarily a graduate program, it connects with undergraduates through electives, research, and networking opportunities.
Key rankings include:
- #15 out of 133 in Best Business Schools (U.S. News)
- 6th among U.S. MBA programs (Financial Times)
- #7 in International Trade (QS)
Within the Ivy League, Cornell is considered one of the best schools for business, thanks to its strong programs in economics, management, and hospitality. No wonder it’s one of the most popular majors at Cornell.
Engineering at Cornell
Engineering is the third most popular major at Cornell, making up over 13% of bachelor’s degrees. The College of Engineering is the largest of Cornell’s colleges, and it’s considered one of the best engineering schools in the Ivy League.
Students begin with a common curriculum heavy on math, physics, and computer science. By sophomore year, they declare majors ranging from Mechanical to Biomedical to Environmental Engineering.
The school ranks #12 in the U.S. (U.S. News), #24 worldwide (Times Higher Education), and #30 globally (QS).
Highlights of Cornell Engineering:
- Project teams with real impact. Over 30 student-led engineering project teams tackle ambitious builds, from the Cornell Racing FSAE team designing formula-style cars, to Cornell Mars Rover developing autonomous vehicles for NASA competitions, and CUAUV (Cornell University Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) which has won multiple international titles.
- Cutting-edge research access. Undergraduates can work in labs tied to the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility or the Energy Systems Institute. Students get hands-on experience in fields like nanotechnology, biomedical devices, and renewable energy before graduation.
- Industry and alumni connections. Cornell engineers benefit from partnerships with companies like Boeing, Google, and Pfizer, plus networking with a global alumni base of thousands of engineers. These ties help with internships, co-ops, and career placements in aerospace, tech, healthcare, and beyond.
Engineering is one of the most popular majors at Cornell because it produces graduates who are technically strong but also trained in problem-solving and collaboration.
Agriculture at Cornell
Agriculture is the fourth most popular major at Cornell, representing nearly 11% of degrees. This makes sense given Cornell’s roots as a land-grant university, where agricultural science has always been central.
Students study Agriculture primarily through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Programs range from Agricultural Sciences to Plant Sciences, Food Science, and Animal Science. The curriculum combines hard science with applied training, which reflects Cornell’s commitment to both research and extension.
Its reputation is backed up by consistent top rankings across major evaluators:
- #5 in the world for Agriculture & Forestry (QS)
- #13 in Agricultural Sciences (U.S. News)
- #7 in Best Universities for Plant and Animal Science (U.S. News)
From crop science and food systems to sustainability and biotechnology, agriculture at Cornell continues to attract students who want both global recognition and practical impact.
Why Agriculture is one of the most popular majors at Cornell:
- Specialized programs in high-demand fields. Agriculture students can study in areas like Food Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and Viticulture and Enology (one of the only programs of its kind in the U.S.). These options make the program broader and more applied than a traditional agriculture degree.
- Direct pathways to careers and advanced study. Many students continue into Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, while others join agribusiness firms, food safety labs, or environmental agencies. Cornell’s partnerships with the USDA and state agricultural agencies create internships and research opportunities that give graduates a head start.
- Unmatched campus resources. Students train at Cornell’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, the Cornell Dairy, and thousands of acres of research farms that support work in crops, soil, and animal science. Facilities like the Dyson Dairy Plant even let students develop new dairy products, linking research with industry.
Let’s take a look at some of the major research facilities that make Cornell’s agriculture programs stand out:
- The Cornell Ruminant Center offers 2,600 acres for animal science and dairy research, with labs, livestock units, and student housing.
- The College runs 325 acres of campus-area farms used for hands-on learning and studies in soil, crops, and horticulture.
- The 4,200-acre Arnot Teaching and Research Forest supports forestry, ecology, and environmental research.
These resources give students access to professional-scale research environments that few other universities can match.
Agriculture’s popularity reflects both history and relevance. Students are drawn to Cornell because it prepares them for critical roles in food security, sustainability, and global development. It’s a defining reason why agriculture remains one of the most popular majors at Cornell.
Biological and Life Sciences at Cornell
Biological and Life Sciences make up about 10% of Cornell’s degrees. Students can major in Biology through a joint program of Arts and Sciences and CALS, or specialize in fields like Microbiology, Genetics, and Neurobiology.
Cornell’s strength in the life sciences comes from its wide range of labs and facilities. Undergraduates study everything from molecular biology to ecosystem science. Many also do research through programs at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or the Weill Cornell Medicine connection.
Notable aspects of the program include:
- Faculty legacies like Nobel Prize winner Barbara McClintock, who studied genetics at Cornell. She received her bachelor of science in 1923, her master’s in 1925, and her PhD in 1927, all from Cornell.
- Research hubs like the Cornell Biotechnology Resource Center and the Lab of Ornithology, where undergraduates take part in projects ranging from genomic sequencing and proteomics to large-scale conservation biology. These resources give students access to the same advanced tools used by graduate researchers and professionals in the field.
- Career pathways that lead through Cornell’s own top-ranked College of Veterinary Medicine (#2 in the nation and #3 worldwide) and strong partnerships with organizations like the USDA and CDC, which open doors to medical school, veterinary science, public health, and biotech careers.
Life sciences remain one of the most popular majors at Cornell because they combine tradition with cutting-edge opportunities, making them a staple on the Cornell list of majors.
Cornell consistently ranks nationally among the top universities in the biological sciences. The program is currently #11 in Biological Sciences overall, with standout recognition in key specialties. It holds the #1 spot in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, which reflects the university’s strength in environmental and organismal research.
In more molecular fields, Cornell is ranked #10 in Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics, #13 in Cell Biology, and #15 in Molecular Biology. These rankings confirm that students at Cornell gain access to one of the most comprehensive and highly regarded biology programs in the country.
Social Sciences at Cornell
Social Sciences represent about 7.6% of degrees, placing them in the top half of the most popular majors at Cornell. Economics, Government, and Sociology are central here, but the standout program is the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR).
The ILR School is unique in the Ivy League. It combines economics, law, history, and psychology to focus on the world of work. Students often pursue careers in law, public policy, human resources, or consulting.
Economics majors at Cornell get much more than a foundation in theory. The program emphasizes econometrics and applied data analysis, with many students working directly through the Cornell Institute for Social and Economic Research (CISER).
This gives undergraduates access to one of the largest collections of social science data in the country, as well as opportunities to collaborate on faculty projects focused on labor markets, international trade, and public policy.
The Economics program’s reputation is strong in both U.S. and global evaluations:
- #15 in Economics (U.S. News)
- #27 worldwide in Economics & Econometrics (QS)
Government majors benefit from distinctive programs such as Cornell in Washington. This allows students to spend a semester living in D.C., interning at institutions like the State Department, the Brookings Institution, or congressional offices, while also earning academic credit. The experience provides a direct link between classroom study and policymaking at the national level.
Students in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) experience a curriculum that combines economics, law, history, and organizational behavior. Beyond coursework, they often work with ILR’s extension programs, which partner with unions, corporations, and nonprofits on workplace and labor issues.
These strengths make the social sciences one of the most popular majors at Cornell for students interested in people, policy, and power structures.
Psychology at Cornell
Psychology is the seventh most popular major at Cornell, accounting for just over 3% of degrees. The program covers cognitive, developmental, clinical, and social psychology. Students also benefit from interdisciplinary opportunities with fields like neuroscience and information science.
Cornell’s psychology majors gain research experience early. Labs explore topics such as decision-making, memory, and social behavior. Students often present at conferences or publish with faculty, which makes the program highly attractive.
Key features:
- Specialized study tracks. Psychology majors can choose from areas such as Behavioral and Evolutionary Neuroscience, Social and Personality Psychology, and Perception, Cognition, and Development. This lets students tailor the degree toward lab research, applied clinical work, or human development.
- Hands-on fieldwork. Students conduct research and practica in schools, hospitals, and local community organizations. For example, some students work in applied settings studying child development, while others assist in projects related to clinical interventions and health psychology.
- Unique research facilities. Cornell houses labs like the Behavioral Analysis of Beginning Years (B.A.B.Y.) Lab, which studies infant learning and development, and the Stereotyping and Social Interactions Lab, which explores social biases and group dynamics. These labs give undergraduates direct access to the type of cutting-edge research usually reserved for graduate students.
Psychology’s combination of research depth and applied work explains why it’s among the most popular majors at Cornell and continues to attract students each year.
Interdisciplinary Studies at Cornell
Interdisciplinary Studies make up about 3.1% of degrees. This category includes programs that cut across fields, like Environment and Sustainability, Information Science, and Biology and Society.
What makes Interdisciplinary Studies one of the most popular majors at Cornell is the freedom it provides and the way it connects students to real issues.For example, the Environment and Sustainability major is jointly offered by the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Students work with faculty from ecology, economics, and policy, and many conduct research at facilities like the Cornell Biological Field Station at Oneida Lake or the Arnot Teaching and Research Forest.
In Information Science, students explore computing alongside human-centered design and communication. The program spans Arts and Sciences, Computing and Information Science, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Majors gain access to labs that focus on human-computer interaction, digital culture, and information ethics.
Cornell also offers an Independent Major option where undergraduates design a course of study around their personal academic goals. Past students have created majors in areas such as global health, data ethics, and environmental communication, often combining coursework across multiple colleges.
This flexibility, supported by Cornell’s research infrastructure, allows students to customize their education while tackling complex problems that do not fit neatly into a single discipline.
Cornell’s motto, ‘any person, any study,’ comes to life through these programs, which is why Interdisciplinary Studies continues to rank among the most popular majors at Cornell.
Architecture at Cornell
Architecture ranks ninth among the most popular majors at Cornell, making up nearly 3% of degrees. Cornell’s five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) is one of the most prestigious undergraduate architecture programs in the U.S. and is ranked #19 in the world for Architecture and the Built Environment by QS.
Key features of the program include:
- Studio-based learning. Students spend the majority of their time in design studios, working on intensive projects that develop both creativity and technical precision. The studio model mirrors professional practice with critiques, collaboration, and direct faculty feedback.
- Global exposure. Through the Cornell in Rome program, students study in Italy, learning from European architects and gaining firsthand experience with historic and contemporary architectural traditions.
- Cutting-edge facilities. Architecture majors have access to Milstein Hall studios, designed by Rem Koolhaas, and Rand Hall, home to advanced fabrication shops and digital design labs. These resources allow students to bring their concepts to life with the latest tools and technology.
- Prestige and outcomes. The program’s demanding structure makes sure that graduates are prepared for top roles in the field. Cornell’s international reputation gives students a competitive edge in architecture and design careers worldwide.
Architecture at Cornell is rigorous but rewarding, which explains why it continues to rank among the most popular majors at Cornell despite its small size.
Physical Sciences at Cornell
Physical Sciences close out the top ten at Cornell with about 2.6% of degrees. Majors include Physics, Chemistry, and Astronomy.
Cornell has a strong history in the physical sciences. Nobel laureates such as Hans Bethe (Physics, 1967), Richard Feynman (Physics, 1965), and Roald Hoffmann (Chemistry, 1981) taught here, shaping generations of scientists.
More recently, David Lee (Physics, 1996) added to that legacy. Undergraduates use facilities such as the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, where they get hands-on research experience uncommon at most universities.
Cornell’s reputation in the physical sciences is also reflected in consistently high national and international rankings. Both Physics and Chemistry place among the strongest programs worldwide:
- #7 in Physics (U.S. News)
- #8 in Condensed Matter (U.S. News)
- #9 in Elementary Particles / Field / String Theory (U.S. News)
- #11 in Chemistry (U.S. News)
- #18 in the world for Physical Sciences (Times Higher Education)
- #21 in the world for Physics & Astronomy (QS)
For students who want rigorous science training and the chance to contribute to real discoveries, Physical Sciences remain one of Cornell’s best majors and a fitting cap to the list of the most popular majors at Cornell.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What majors is Cornell known for?
Cornell is widely recognized for its strengths across STEM fields, agriculture, business, and the social sciences. Some of the most popular majors at Cornell include Computer and Information Sciences, Business/Marketing, Engineering, Agriculture, Biological and Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and Psychology. Cornell is also highly regarded for unique programs in Architecture and Interdisciplinary Studies.
2. What majors does Cornell offer?
Cornell offers over 80 undergraduate majors across its colleges, including Arts and Sciences, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Art, and Planning, and the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Students can pursue programs in fields such as Computer Science, Hotel Administration, Government, Biology, Economics, and Psychology. Cornell also allows students to design their own interdisciplinary major.
3. Where can I find a Cornell list of majors?
The full Cornell list of majors is available on the university’s official website under the “Majors” section. Each entry includes details on the program, degree requirements, advising resources, and research or study abroad opportunities.
4. What are considered Cornell’s best majors?
Cornell consistently ranks among the top universities for majors such as Computer Science (#7 nationally by U.S. News), Engineering (#12 nationally), Agriculture (#5 in the world for Agriculture & Forestry by QS), and Biological Sciences (#11 nationally). Business is another standout, with the Dyson School, Nolan Hotel School, and Johnson Graduate School ranked among the best in their fields.
5. Are the most popular majors at Cornell all in the sciences and engineering?
No. While STEM fields like Computer Science, Engineering, and Biological Sciences account for a large share of degrees, the most popular majors at Cornell also extend to Agriculture, Business/Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, and Architecture. These programs highlight Cornell’s strength in combining practical training with academic rigor, and its commitment to offering diverse options across both STEM and the humanities.
Takeaways
If you’re planning your future at this university, looking at the most popular majors at Cornell can help you understand where students find the most opportunities. Here are the key points to keep in mind:
- Computer and Information Sciences lead the list of the most popular majors at Cornell, thanks to their flexibility across colleges, national top-10 rankings, and strong employer reputation.
- Business/Marketing is another one of the most popular majors at Cornell, anchored by the Dyson School, the Nolan Hotel School, and Johnson’s graduate connections, which make it one of the best business options in the Ivy League.
- Engineering and Agriculture both rank high among the most popular majors at Cornell, with Engineering known for global project teams and Agriculture supported by unique facilities like the Cornell Dairy and Arnot Forest.
- Biological Sciences, Social Sciences, and Psychology are staples of the most popular majors at Cornell because they combine rigorous research opportunities with career pathways in medicine, law, policy, and health.
- If you’re exploring the most popular majors at Cornell and want help choosing the right path, a college admissions consultant can guide you. AdmissionSight can make it easier for you to align your strengths and goals with the programs Cornell is best known for.
