Cornell University

Knowledge for the greater good

We have taken to heart the revolutionary spirit that founded our university and encourage each other to pursue unpredicted lines of thinking in order to effect change on local and international scales.

Our Profile

Cornell is a privately endowed research university and a partner of the State University of New York. As the federal land-grant institution in New York State, we have a responsibility—unique within the Ivy League—to make contributions in all fields of knowledge in a manner that prioritizes public engagement to help improve the quality of life in our state, the nation, the world.

Cornell Through the Years

More than 150 years of excellence in education, research and public engagement have given Cornell a unique history that is rich with innovation and tradition.

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Cornell University is primarily known for its unique blend of Ivy League prestige and public land-grant mission, its broad range of highly-ranked programs, and its significant research contributions.

Key areas for which Cornell is known include:

• Diverse and Highly-Ranked Programs: True to its motto, "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study", Cornell offers an extensive array of academic fields. It is particularly known for:
  • The top-ranked College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the only one in the Ivy League.
  • The prestigious School of Hotel Administration (Nolan School), the world's first undergraduate hospitality management program.
  • A top-tier College of Engineering and Computer Science programs, often considered the best among the Ivies.
  • A top-ranked College of Veterinary Medicine, one of the leading programs in the U.S..
  • A strong Architecture program, the only Ivy to offer a Bachelor of Architecture professional degree.
• Unique Structure: Its hybrid public/private status is unique among the Ivy League, with four of its undergraduate colleges being state-supported statutory colleges, allowing for both private endowment resources and a public engagement mission.
• Research and Innovation: Cornell is an R1 research university, known for cutting-edge work in AI, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability. Cornell astronomers and astrophysicists were heavily involved in the Voyager spacecraft missions.
• Notable Alumni: The university has produced numerous prominent figures, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dr. Anthony Fauci, scientist Bill Nye, and authors Toni Morrison and Kurt Vonnegut.
• Distinctive Campus and Traditions: The main campus in Ithaca, New York, is renowned for its natural beauty, including dramatic gorges and waterfalls. Traditions such as "Dragon Day" (an annual parade by architecture students) and spirited men's ice hockey games contribute to its unique campus culture.

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