Cornell University College of Architecture
Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) represents one of the most distinguished programs for architectural education in the United States. Established in 1871, making it one of the oldest architecture programs in North America, the college has consistently ranked among the top architecture schools globally. AAP combines rigorous design education with strong foundations in history, theory, and technology within the context of an elite Ivy League research university. The college's mission emphasizes design as a means of addressing complex societal challenges while advancing artistic excellence and technical innovation. AAP faculty members include internationally recognized architects, historians, and researchers who bring diverse perspectives and methodologies to their teaching. The college maintains strong connections to professional practice through visiting critics, design-build programs, and partnerships with leading firms. AAP operates three departments: Architecture, Art, and City and Regional Planning, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration that enriches student learning. The architecture department specifically focuses on preparing students for leadership roles in architectural practice, education, and research. With approximately 650 students across undergraduate and graduate programs, AAP offers close mentorship and individualized attention within a supportive studio culture. The college's location in Ithaca, New York, provides a focused academic environment while the Cornell network extends globally. AAP alumni include Pritzker Prize laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and founding partners of influential practices worldwide. The college continues to shape architectural discourse through innovative pedagogy, groundbreaking research, and exemplary design work.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
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- Avg GPA
- 3.25
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Student Life & Environment
Life as an architecture student at Cornell revolves around the studio. Rand Hall and Milstein Hall become second homes, where students spend evenings and weekends working on projects, talking through ideas, and forming bonds that last well beyond graduation. The intensity of the program creates tight-knit cohorts who support each other through all-nighters and final reviews. Outside the studio, architecture students participate in Cornell's broader campus life. The university has over 1,000 student organizations, Division I athletics, and a social scene centered on Collegetown and the various fraternity and sorority houses. AAP has its own student groups, including AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students), which organizes lectures, workshops, and social events. Beaux Arts Ball, the annual costume party thrown by architecture students, is legendary on campus. Housing options include on-campus residence halls for first-years and a mix of apartments and houses in Collegetown and beyond for upperclassmen. Many architecture students choose to live near North Campus or Collegetown to stay close to the studio. The dining halls at Cornell receive high marks, with options ranging from all-you-can-eat buffets to cafes and food courts. The competitive nature of architecture school can be stressful, but students find balance through outdoor activities, campus events, and the simple pleasure of watching the sun set over Cayuga Lake after a long day in studio.
Location & Surroundings
Ithaca sits at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, surrounded by gorges, waterfalls, and forested hills that make it one of the most naturally beautiful college towns in America. The famous saying "Ithaca is gorges" barely captures how spectacular the landscape is. Cornell's campus itself features several gorges, with suspension bridges and hiking trails that offer study breaks unlike anywhere else. The town of Ithaca has a progressive, artsy character with excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and bookstores concentrated on the Commons, a pedestrian mall downtown. Farmers markets, live music venues, and a surprisingly good food scene make the town feel larger than its 30,000 permanent residents would suggest. The Ithaca Farmers Market, held on the waterfront, draws crowds every weekend during growing season. Weather is honest. Winters are cold and snowy, lasting from November through April, with gray skies that require mental preparation. The flip side is that fall brings stunning foliage, and spring arrives with sudden warmth that sends students to the arts quad and lakefront. Summers in Ithaca are genuinely lovely, though most students leave for internships and travel. Getting to Ithaca requires some effort. The regional airport has limited flights, so many students drive or take buses to Syracuse, Binghamton, or New York City. This isolation creates a campus community where people invest deeply in campus life because there's nowhere else to go on a random Tuesday night.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Cornell is expensive. Tuition, fees, room, and board for AAP run over $85,000 annually, putting it among the priciest architecture programs in the country. However, Cornell meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, which can make the actual cost significantly lower for families who qualify for aid. Merit scholarships exist but are limited. The five-year B.Arch degree means one extra year of tuition compared to a four-year degree, but graduates can sit for licensing exams immediately rather than completing additional graduate education. This professional degree pays off in time saved later. Career outcomes for AAP graduates are strong. Alumni work at major firms like SOM, Gensler, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Bjarke Ingels Group, as well as smaller studios and their own practices. Some graduates pivot into related fields like urban planning, real estate development, set design, or tech (computational design skills translate well to software companies). The alumni network is extensive and supportive, with Cornell architects in leadership positions at firms worldwide. Starting salaries in architecture are modest compared to engineering or finance, typically $55,000-75,000 at major firms, but increase substantially with experience and licensure. Many AAP graduates report that the creative fulfillment of architecture practice outweighs the slower income growth compared to other professional fields.
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