The two-year Cornell MBA is a significant investment that will expand your career opportunities, earning potential and long-term impact.
As you evaluate the cost, it’s important to consider the financial commitment and the return on your investment. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of costs and the financing options available to help you plan with confidence.
This two-year degree will equip you with critical knowledge, industry-specific experience and a competitive advantage. That’s why our team is dedicated to developing a financial plan tailored to your needs.
Estimated cost of attendance
Understanding the full cost of attendance is an important first step in planning your investment.
The estimated cost of attendance includes costs billed by Cornell (such as tuition and fees) and non-billed costs (such as housing, books and transportation). Non-billed costs are subject to change depending on student choices.
Expense
Fall/Spring term (academic year)
Tuition
$86,596
Student activity fees
$110
Health fee
$580
Housing
$16,796
Books and supplies
$2,466
Transportation
$3,544
Miscellaneous
$4,248
TOTAL
$119,994
Financial aid options for this program
Most Cornell MBA students combine multiple funding sources to finance their degree, including scholarships, loans and personal or employer support. All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of application submission, with priority consideration given to those who apply earlier.
Applicants are encouraged to explore additional funding options such as:
If you are ready to start the financial aid application process, the Cornell University financial aid website provides in-depth details about next steps. Additionally, you can begin the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using our school code: 002711.
At Johnson admissions decisions are made independently of an applicant’s financial situation. We work in partnership with our applicants and students to find the most beneficial mixture of funding options available to help cover their educationally related costs without compromising institutional, professional, or legal standards. Obtaining an MBA is a big investment in time, effort, and money. Most will have to make significant lifestyle adjustments to accommodate the cost of school and the decrease in personal income. We ask students to take on the primary responsibility for covering educational costs and to use savings, income from work and other resources at their disposal to help cover such costs.
Johnson provides scholarships to a substantial percentage who apply to the Two-Year residential MBA program. Decisions on scholarship recipients are made after an offer of admission is made. Admitted students are notified in their admissions decision letter if selected for scholarship. Similar criteria are used to determine merit as are used to evaluate applicants for admission: demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills, prior academic performance, GMAT scores, the breadth and depth of work experience, writing skills, interviewing ability, extracurricular and community involvement, recommendations, and previous achievements.
Executive MBA programs offer a limited number of small and partial merit-based scholarships. Scholarships are granted at the discretion of the admissions committee. You do not need to apply to these scholarships separately—you will be considered for them as part of your application for admission.
Johnson has entered agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to participate in the Yellow Ribbon (YR) Program, supplement to the Post-9/11 GI Bill® educational benefit that further defrays the cost of higher education for military veterans. Veterans who enroll in the Two-Year residential MBA program must be 100% eligible for the Post-9/11 GI-Bill and not on active duty to qualify for YR. All veterans seeking VA educational benefits must first apply for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans with questions about their eligibility for the various VA educational benefit programs should consult the VA to determine eligibility.
Executive MBA programs will participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year, for the Class of 2021. This program is available to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who are 100% eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Executive MBA programs will contribute up to a set amount annually in scholarship support, and the VA will provide up to the same amount in additional matching funds. Email emba@cornell.edu for additional information.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Outside scholarships
Scholarships from outside the school are available from many sources. There is some effort involved in securing outside funds. The key is to apply early. Private scholarships may be based on various selection criteria: academic achievement, religious affiliation, ethnicity, memberships, civic activities, hobbies, or special talents. The internet is a great resource for free scholarship information.
Some employers offer tuition benefit programs for employees and/or their dependents. Students that have been awarded federal or university funding are required to report all tuition benefit and aid resources to the Financial Aid Office. Students borrowing student loans, in addition to their tuition benefit, may not receive financial aid resources that exceed the cost of attendance. Thus, student loans will be adjusted accordingly to stay within the established cost of attendance.
Budgeting
Your educational-related costs may be different from the budget we use for financial aid purposes. Many Johnson students meet their educational costs by borrowing through various student loan programs. Student loan debt represents a serious financial commitment with long range repercussions. Please remember that you cannot use education loans (federal or private education loans) to cover costs above our published budget.
Credit counts
A significant amount of your student aid will be in the form of student loans, it is imperative that you establish and maintain a clean credit record. If you have had credit problems in the past, it is important to take steps to improve your record. All aid applicants should request a free credit report annually.
Financial literacy
By being proactive and making good decisions now, you can ensure manageable loan debt upon graduation.
Federal student loan process: Eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Students can borrow through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan programs up to the published cost of attendance less any other aid.
Students complete the upcoming year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and complete the Johnson School Federal Loan Application request form.
Completed federal loan request are uploaded to a document tracking system for processing.
Before federal loan requests can be processed or awarded, any adverse Comment Code reflected on one’s FAFSA must be reviewed and resolved.
Johnson Financial Aid Office will begin processing federal student loan requests mid-March. Loan award notifications are then emailed to the student’s Cornell University email account. In order to be considered for federal student loans, students must have accepted their offer of admission, completed the FAFSA and uploaded Johnson’s Federal Loan Application Request Form.
Federal loan terms and repayment options
The Federal Direct and Graduate PLUS loan programs are repaid to the U.S. Department of Education via a loan servicer under contract to the Department of Education. Visit the U.S. Department of Education website for federal loan terms and repayment options at studentloans.gov.
Private educational loans
Students may borrow private education loans in place of or in combination with federal loan programs. Students are responsible for researching and applying for their private loan. Students may borrow up to the published total cost of attendance less any other aid received. Students should upload the Johnson Private Loan Certification Request Form to ensure timely processing.
International students
Johnson offers a no co-signer loan through Quorum Federal Credit Union to students enrolled in the Two-Year residential MBA program. This loan currently allows international students to borrow up to cost of tuition plus $10,000 additional expenses without a cosigner, as long as the international student either has no credit or, at least, good credit in the United States. Details and application link are emailed directly to admitted, international students.
Disbursement of loans
Loans will be paid in equal installments that correspond to university billing periods.
The bursar will use the first installment of loans toward your first semester’s tuition bill. If the loan exceeds the billed amount, the bursar will issue a refund check to the student after official registration.
The remaining installment(s) of your loans will work in the same way. If the loan exceeds the billed amount, the bursar will issue a refund check to the student after official registration.
Cornell University Bursar procedures
Most University charges and credits are processed through the University Bursar system. Tuition is billed on a semester basis. Your bill must be paid in order for a student to be considered officially registered with Cornell University. All financial aid is disbursed directed to a student bursar account. The University Bursar offers several payment options. For more information, please visit the Cornell University Office of the Bursar.
Leaves of absences and withdrawal
Students attending Cornell University who are receiving federal Title IV financial aid (e.g., Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate PLUS) are required to return the portion of unearned federal aid if they withdraw, do not register, or otherwise fail to complete the period of enrollment for which the Title IV aid was provided. The return of funds does not apply to any student whose date of withdrawal is beyond the 60 percent enrollment period for which the student has been charged. The last date of attendance is determined by the date the student began their college’s withdrawal process or the student’s last date of recorded attendance.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
For financial aid applications, Federal regulations require that Cornell University review the academic progress of students who apply for and/or receive financial assistance. Satisfactory academic progress is comprised of three areas as required by federal regulations. A student must complete their degree within a specified period, demonstrate they are making progress towards the completion of their degree by earning a minimum number of credits hours each semester, and achieve a GPA that is consistent with meeting graduation requirements. This regulation applies to each financial aid applicant, whether a previous recipient or not. This policy on satisfactory academic progress relates to Johnson students who apply for and/or receive federal financial aid. In addition to meeting the standard for receiving financial aid, students must also meet the academic standards for their specific MBA program.
Educational lending statement
Cornell University has established a set of publicly available principles and policies to govern educational lending practices for undergraduate, graduate and professional students. These principles emphasize that our lending practices come from a commitment to the best interests of our students. Neither Cornell nor its employees accept financial payments, goods or services of material value from lenders. All employees involved in financial aid and student lending are subject to a rigorous conflict-of-interest policy. Administrators may serve as unpaid members of lender advisory boards in order to help shape the products and services that will best meet the needs of our students. Visit Cornell University website for a complete policy on Lending Code of Conduct.
