Cornell University

Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university with a public land-grant mission, uniquely positioned to serve both elite scholarship and broad societal impact. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, the university was built on the revolutionary idea: “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” This inclusive ethos continues to shape Cornell’s identity today.

Cornell’s main campus is located in Ithaca, New York, nestled in the scenic Finger Lakes region, with stunning views of Cayuga Lake, waterfalls, and gorges. The university also operates campuses in New York City (Cornell Tech and Weill Cornell Medicine), Washington, D.C., and Doha, Qatar, making it a truly global institution.


Academics & Colleges

Cornell offers over 100 fields of study across eight undergraduate colleges and seven graduate divisions, each with its own admissions and curriculum:

Undergraduate Colleges

  • College of Arts and Sciences

  • College of Engineering

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (land-grant)

  • College of Human Ecology (land-grant)

  • School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) (land-grant)

  • Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

    • Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

    • School of Hotel Administration

  • College of Architecture, Art, and Planning

Graduate & Professional Schools

  • Graduate School

  • Law School

  • Weill Cornell Medical College

  • College of Veterinary Medicine (land-grant)

  • Cornell Tech

  • Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

  • School of Public Policy

Cornell is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and is classified as an R1: Doctoral University – Very high research activity.


Research & Innovation

Cornell is a powerhouse of discovery and innovation:

  • Home to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a global leader in bird science

  • Hosts the Cornell NanoScale Science & Technology Facility

  • Operates Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY, advancing food and agricultural research

  • Engages in cutting-edge work in AI, biomedicine, sustainability, and space science

  • Affiliated with 64 Nobel laureates, 4 Turing Award winners, and 1 Fields Medalist


Global Reach & Public Mission

As the only land-grant university in the Ivy League, Cornell has a dual identity:

  • Privately endowed, yet committed to public service and outreach

  • Operates extension programs across New York State

  • Offers international programs in Qatar, Italy, India, and beyond

  • Hosts the Shoals Marine Laboratory in New Hampshire for marine science education


Campus & Facilities

Cornell’s Ithaca campus spans 745 acres, featuring a mix of historic and modern architecture:

  • McGraw Tower and Uris Library – iconic landmarks

  • Willard Straight Hall – student union and hub of activism

  • Sage Chapel – resting place of Ezra Cornell

  • Cornell Dairy Bar – famous for its ice cream, made on campus

  • Cornell Botanic Gardens – 4,000+ acres of natural beauty

The campus is consistently ranked among the most beautiful in the U.S., with its blend of Gothic, modernist, and sustainable design.


Student Life & Traditions

Cornell’s student experience is vibrant and diverse:

  • 1,000+ student organizations

  • Greek life involves ~1/3 of undergraduates

  • Slope Day – annual spring celebration with music and festivities

  • Dragon Day – architecture students parade a giant dragon across campus

  • Lynah Rink – home of the legendary Big Red ice hockey team

Students are required to pass a swim test and take two PE courses, a nod to Cornell’s holistic approach to education.


Notable Alumni

Cornell has produced leaders across every field:

  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg – U.S. Supreme Court Justice

  • Anthony Fauci – Immunologist and public health leader

  • Bill Nye – Science educator

  • Toni Morrison – Nobel Prize-winning author

  • Mae Jemison – First African American woman in space