About Engineering at Cornell University
Engineering programs span fields such as mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, biomedical and aerospace engineering, combining mathematics and science with hands-on design and research.
At Cornell University (QS World University Rankings 2026: #16) in Ithaca, Engineering is one of the subject areas international students choose most. Cornell is an Ivy League university in Ithaca, New York, with a large campus and a very broad range of colleges, from engineering and computing to agriculture and hotel administration.
Degree levels for Engineering
- Bachelor’s — typical length in the US: 4 years
- Master’s — typical length in the US: 1–2 years
- PhD — typical length in the US: usually 5–6 years
Program names, specialisations and exact length differ by department — check the official program page before applying.
Admission requirements for Engineering at Cornell
- Bachelor’s: apply through the Common App with transcripts, essays, recommendations and English scores.
- Master’s / PhD: a relevant bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, recommendations, CV and English scores; some programs ask for the GRE. PhD applicants should show research experience and interests.
- English: TOEFL iBT around 100 or IELTS Academic 7.0+ is typically expected (requirements vary by school and program).
Fees and funding
University tuition (undergraduate, university-wide): Approx. $62,000 – $70,000 per year (undergraduate tuition; varies by program). Graduate and professional fees for Engineering are set separately by the school. PhD students are usually funded through fellowships and teaching or research assistantships. Need-based financial aid for some international undergraduates (need-aware admission); graduate funding through fellowships and assistantships.
Careers and work after graduation
F-1 graduates can apply for up to 12 months of OPT. Most Engineering degrees are STEM-designated, so graduates are often eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Apply for Engineering at Cornell with GIEC Global
GIEC Global offers free counselling, program shortlisting, SOP guidance, application support and F-1 visa assistance for Engineering at Cornell University.
