What sets Cornell engineering apart?

Cornell Engineering stands out through its highly interdisciplinary approach, strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, extensive industry connections, commitment to social good and sustainability, and a diverse, collaborative community, all within the rigorous, broad environment of an Ivy League university. It blends deep technical study with real-world impact, encouraging cross-pollination of ideas across engineering and other fields.

Why is Cornell Engineering unique?

Pairing deep classroom learning with up-close hands-on experience, Cornell Engineering offers an unparalleled engineering education. Students and faculty are deeply invested in the power of collaborative teamwork. Our community exemplifies kindness, empathy and passionate hard work.

What sets Cornell apart?

Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's main campus provides the experience of the traditional college campus: eateries, residence halls, academic buildings, libraries, and research facilities. But its natural beauty—the nearby lake, natural waterfalls, and gardens—set the campus apart from others in the Ivy League.

What does Cornell Engineering focus on?

Cornell Engineering is committed to developing an inclusive, collaborative community that values creativity, integrity and diversity, and leverages excellence in research, education, and technological innovation to address the most difficult problems that impact people, society and the world.

What three words best describe Cornell Engineering?

The three words that best describe Cornell Engineering are innovative, collaborative, and rigorous. These terms encapsulate the essence of the engineering program at Cornell University. Cornell Engineering is known for fostering an innovative spirit where new solutions and technologies are developed.

What Drives Us: Cornell Engineering’s Core Values

What is the #1 engineering school in the US?

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is consistently ranked as the #1 engineering school in the U.S. by major publications like U.S. News & World Report, leading both graduate and undergraduate programs, followed closely by universities like Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and Georgia Tech.
 

What makes Cornell stand out?

Cornell University has long been synonymous with academic excellence, earning its place as one of the world's most prestigious educational institutions. What sets Cornell apart is its unwavering commitment to providing a comprehensive and rigorous academic experience across a wide range of disciplines.

What is Cornell Engineering motto?

Excellence We aim for excellence in everything we do. We produce distinctive results of exceptional quality by approaching our work with rigor, integrity, and the highest ethical standards.

How difficult is Cornell Engineering?

The Cornell Engineering curriculum is rigorous, and the best way to prepare for it is to increasingly challenge yourself in high school, particularly in math and science courses.

Which ivy is the best for engineering?

For Ivy League engineering, Cornell University is consistently ranked highest due to its large, comprehensive engineering school, with Princeton University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) also considered top-tier choices, offering strong programs but often with different focuses or smaller scales than Cornell. While Harvard and Yale have engineering programs, they're generally ranked lower than the other Ivies for the field.
 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

What makes Cornell different from other Ivies?

Cornell is unique among Ivy League schools in that it's a land-grant university. This means that Cornell University receives state funding, though it's a private institution. The university has been at the forefront of innovation since the beginning.

What is the #1 university in the world?

There's no single "number 1" university, as rankings vary by methodology, but the University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently rank at the very top, with Oxford often #1 in Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 and MIT leading QS 2026 rankings, while Harvard University leads U.S. News rankings for global universities.
 

Is Harvard or Cornell better for engineering?

While Harvard consistently tops the list of universities in varied disciplines, Cornell is a world leader in some disciplines including engineering, veterinary sciences, architecture, hotel management, and agriculture.

Is Cornell worth it for engineering?

A Cornell Education is a Worthy Investment

In a survey of the Cornell Engineering Class of 2024, 95% of our students had a job offer or had been admitted into a graduate school program within six months of graduation.

What are the values of Cornell Engineering?

Core Values

• Excellence. We aim for excellence in everything we do. ...
• Purpose. We strive to make a meaningful impact by leading, supporting, and actively participating in research, education, and outreach that contributes to a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable world.
• Innovation. ...
• Community. ...
• Collaboration.

Is MIT harder to get into than Cornell?

Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

What is the easiest ivy to get into for engineering?

Cornell University is often considered the best Ivy League school for engineering, and it's also the easiest to get into. However, any Ivy League school is a great place to earn your undergraduate degree.

What is the #1 engineering College in the US?

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is consistently ranked as the #1 engineering school in the U.S. by major publications like U.S. News & World Report, leading both graduate and undergraduate programs, followed closely by universities like Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and Georgia Tech.
 

Is Cornell harder than Harvard?

Harvard is generally considered harder to get into due to its lower acceptance rate (around 3-4%) compared to Cornell's (around 7-8%), making it more selective for admission. However, academic difficulty after admission is subjective, with Cornell having a reputation for being rigorous and potentially harder to graduate from in certain demanding programs (like engineering or sciences), while Harvard is known for strong academics with some perceptions of grade inflation, though both are extremely challenging. 

What are the top 3 majors in Cornell?

While "top" can be subjective, the most popular majors at Cornell University consistently include Computer Science, Engineering, and Hospitality/Hotel Management, often followed closely by Business, Biology, and Economics, reflecting strength in tech, management, and life sciences. 

What kind of students is Cornell looking for?

What does Cornell look for when we review your application? Intellectual potential. Have you challenged yourself in the curriculum and opportunities available to you? How have you demonstrated your passion for learning?

Is graduating from Cornell impressive?

Cornell has produced an impressive number of graduates who have significantly influenced their fields, including Nobel laureates, leading business leaders, and influential politicians. This tradition of excellence continues to motivate today's students.

Is Cornell a white school?

Demographics of Cornell

While Cornell is a historically white institution, the demographic of the school has become more diverse. Today, almost half of Cornell's student body identifies as BIPOC. However, for Black or African American students, this diversity may not provide a sense of community.