Cornell University
Cornell University is a selective law school with an acceptance rate of 18%. The median LSAT score for admitted students is 173, with a median GPA of 3.92. Approximately 91% of students receive grant or scholarship funding. Below you'll find detailed admissions statistics, tuition and cost data, and scholarship information based on the 2025 ABA 509 report.
Acceptance Rate
18%
Median LSAT
173
Median GPA
3.92
Receive Grants
91%
Admissions Statistics
25th Percentile
168
Median
173
75th Percentile
175
25th Percentile
3.75
Median
3.92
75th Percentile
3.97
Cornell University is a selective law school with an acceptance rate of approximately 18%. Admitted students present strong academic records, and LSAT scores play a meaningful role in distinguishing candidates in a competitive applicant pool. Falling below the 25th percentile LSAT cutoff significantly reduces admission odds, while scores above the 75th percentile place applicants in a strong competitive position. Enrolled students posted LSAT scores from 168 at the 25th percentile to 175 at the 75th percentile, a typical 7-point spread that reflects a fairly defined applicant profile. Applicants should approach this school as a realistic target if their credentials align with the reported medians.
GPA Expectations
On the academic credential side, enrolled students at Cornell University reported a median undergraduate GPA of 3.92, with the 25th percentile at 3.75 and the 75th percentile at 3.97. The 0.22-point GPA spread suggests the school evaluates academic performance alongside other application components. Applicants whose GPA falls below the 25th percentile may wish to supplement their application with a strong addendum addressing academic context or upward trajectory. A GPA at or above the median strengthens any application and, when combined with a competitive LSAT score, places the candidate in a favorable position.
Tuition & Costs
FT Resident
$84,722
FT Non-Resident
$84,722
Fees
$690
On Campus
$32,952
Off Campus
$32,952
At Home
$32,952
Cornell University falls in the higher-cost tier for law school tuition. The full-time non-resident tuition is $84,722 per year plus $690 in required fees. Living costs off campus are estimated at $32,952 per year. Over three years, sticker-price costs at this school can exceed $254,166 before living and fees. Prospective students should investigate scholarship eligibility carefully, as even a partial award meaningfully reduces three-year net cost. Public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) and income-driven repayment (IDR) plans may also factor into the long-term financial calculus for graduates entering public interest or government roles.
Scholarships & Grants
Receiving Grants
91%
< Half Tuition
67%
Half to Full
22%
Full Tuition
2%
> Full Tuition
0%
25th Percentile
$28,000
Median
$30,000
75th Percentile
$45,000
25th Percentile
N/R
Median
N/R
75th Percentile
N/R
Scholarship funding at Cornell University is widely distributed: 91% of full-time students receive some form of grant aid. The partial median scholarship of $30,000 per year — ranging from $28,000 at the 25th percentile to $45,000 at the 75th percentile — indicates that merit and need-based awards are broadly available. This high grant prevalence suggests that applicants with above-median academic credentials have a realistic opportunity to reduce their cost of attendance meaningfully. Prospective students should request a scholarship estimate directly from the financial aid office and should not assume that the sticker price reflects what most students actually pay.
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This tool provides directional estimates based on school-level data from the American Bar Association's Standard 509 Information Report. The statistics shown on this page — including LSAT percentiles, GPA ranges, acceptance rates, grant prevalence, and tuition figures — are drawn from Cornell University's ABA 509 disclosure data for the 2025 reporting cycle, the most recent cycle available at the time this page was generated. All estimated admission probabilities and scholarship likelihood figures are derived from a quantitative model that weights LSAT scores at 70% and undergraduate GPA at 30% of an applicant strength index. These estimates are directional in nature and are not guarantees of admission, scholarship eligibility, or any specific financial outcome. Individual application outcomes depend on a wide range of factors not captured in school-level ABA data, including personal statements, letters of recommendation, work experience, character and fitness disclosures, application timing, and year-to-year variation in applicant pool composition. Do not rely on these estimated figures as the sole basis for any significant financial or enrollment decision. The figures presented reflect historical patterns in reported data, not individual predictions. Use this information as one input among many when researching law schools — alongside official admissions consultations, financial aid award letters from institutions, and conversations with current students or alumni who have direct experience with the program.