Quad
Cornell
Northwestern

Key differences on Students & campus

  1. 1

    Cornell has 1.7× as many undergrads as Northwestern

    Undergrads
  2. 2

    Northwestern is more diverse (index 0.81 vs. 0.79)

    Diversity index
  3. 3

    Cornell has 0 pts more first-gen students than Northwestern (15% vs. 15%)

    First-generation students

Students

Students & campus

Who's on each campus, how many get Pell Grants or are the first in their family, and campus life.

Who's on campus

Undergrads
Cornell16K
Northwestern9.2K
Pell Grant share
Cornell18%
Northwestern19%
First-gen share
Cornell15%
Northwestern15%
Diversity index
Cornell0.79
Northwestern0.81

Who they are

Men
Cornell46%
Northwestern46%
Part-time students
Cornell0%
Northwestern3%
Students 25 and older
Cornell0%
Northwestern3%

Race & ethnicity

Cornell
Northwestern
  • White
  • Asian
  • Hispanic/Latino
  • Black
  • Two or more
  • International
  • Other/unknown

Where they're from

First-years from in state
Cornell32%
Northwestern19%
First-years from other states
Cornell55%
Northwestern66%
First-years from abroad
Cornell10%
Northwestern15%
New transfer students this fall
Cornell503
Northwestern277
Transfers, share of new undergraduates
Cornell12%
Northwestern12%

Campus

Cornell
Small cityNCAA D-I FCS · Ivy GroupROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research
Northwestern
Small cityNCAA D-I FBS · Big Ten ConferenceROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research

LGBTQ+ policies

Each item is dated: either the college's own page, checked on that date, or a national list's claim, read on that date — never a plain “yes” or “no.” A key missing for a college isn't shown as “no”: nothing was found for it.

PolicyCornellNorthwestern
Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expressionNondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive housingGender-inclusive housing: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)Gender-inclusive housing, per the college's own page (checked 2026-10-04)
Chosen name and pronouns on campus recordsChosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)Chosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive restrooms listed onlineGender-inclusive restrooms listed online: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online, per the college's own page (checked 2026-10-04)
Student health plan covers transition-related careStudent health plan covers transition-related care: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)Student health plan covers transition-related care: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Trans-inclusive athletic policy (intramurals and club sports)Trans-inclusive athletic policy (intramurals and club sports): listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)–

All student numbers in the table

Sources:Cornell University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;College Scorecard, most recent release;College Scorecard, Fall 2023;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students), Fall 2024;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level), Fall 2024;IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD), 2025–26;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;College Scorecard, Fall 2024About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)

Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why