According to the U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 rankings, Cornell University has been named the 12th best university in the nation. This is an improvement from last year’s ranking of 17th place. Cornell now stands as the best university in New York State, surpassing Columbia University, which slipped to 18th place. Cornell shares the 12th spot with Columbia and the University of Chicago, making them the top-ranking Ivy League institutions in New York State.

The increase in Cornell’s ranking can be attributed, in part, to the U.S. News and World Report’s revised ranking formula. This formula places a greater emphasis on metrics such as graduation rates for students who received need-based Pell grants, retention rates, first-generation college students, and earning potential for recent graduates compared to those with a high school degree.

Additionally, Cornell University has been recognized as the 20th best value college, making it the highest-ranking New York school in this category. The ranking takes into account the academic quality of the institution and the net cost of attendance for out-of-state students who receive average levels of need-based financial aid for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Furthermore, Cornell excels in specific academic categories. It is ranked as the best college for veterans, the sixth best undergraduate computer science program, the eighth best undergraduate business program, and the tenth best undergraduate engineering program.