Cornell University GRE requirements (2026)
GRE policy at Cornell is set by each individual graduate field and program, so requirements range from required to not accepted depending on where you apply.
About Cornell University
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university founded in 1865, with its main campus in Ithaca, New York, and additional locations including Cornell Tech in New York City. It enrolls students across a mix of privately and state-supported colleges and is known for breadth across the sciences, engineering, business, and the humanities.
QS World University Ranking 2026: #16
GRE requirement by program
Cornell University sets its GRE policy by program, so there is rarely a single university-wide answer. Below is each program we have checked, with its status, a link to the program's own admissions page, and the date we last confirmed it.
| Program | Status | Official source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
The Graduate School (most fields) PhD and masters | Varies by program The Graduate School states that GRE requirements vary by field and applicants should check the requirements for their proposed field for which tests are required. | gradschool.cornell.edu | Jun 2026 |
Computer Science MS (Ithaca) MS | Not accepted The CS MS application page states that submitted GRE scores are masked and will not be reviewed with application materials. | cs.cornell.edu | Jun 2026 |
Computer Science MEng MEng | Not accepted The CS MEng application page states GRE scores are no longer required, the department does not consider the GRE scores of any applicant, and submitting scores has no impact on the decision. | cs.cornell.edu | Jun 2026 |
Computer Science PhD PhD | Unconfirmed for 2026 The official PhD apply page does not state a clear GRE policy for regular degree-seeking applicants, so the requirement could not be confirmed from the program's own page. | cs.cornell.edu | Jun 2026 |
College of Engineering (MEng programs) MEng | Varies by program The Engineering MEng application guide states that GRE requirements vary by program and applicants should check with individual programs. | duffield.cornell.edu | Jun 2026 |
Johnson Graduate School of Management (Full-time MBA) MBA | Optional The residential MBA has no minimum GMAT or GRE score and candidates may submit a GMAT or GRE or request a test waiver as part of a holistic review. | johnson.cornell.edu | Jun 2026 |
Each status was read from the program's own admissions page (last checked 12 06 2026). Policies change between cycles; always confirm on the linked official page before you apply.
Not the program you need? The status is set department by department. Use the three-step check on the is the GRE required page to confirm any program in a couple of minutes.
Should you submit a GRE score?
Where Cornell University marks a program Optional, a score comfortably above the program's admitted-student median can strengthen a borderline application, especially for funded or international applicants. Below that median, your effort is usually better spent on the required parts of the file. Where a program is Not accepted, do not send a score, it will not be reviewed.
Unsure where you would land? Sit a free full-length mock and convert your scaled score to its exact official percentile before you decide.