Cornell Johnson MBA Application Guide
Explore our insights on what Cornell Johnson’s MBA program
has to offer, along with the latest facts and stats.
About Cornell Johnson
Johnson at Cornell has deployed a number of sweeping initiatives over the past few years, including a revamp of its curriculum and the launch of a New York City campus. It also merged the business school with its schools of Applied Economics and Hotel Administration, enabling Johnson to pool resources, increase student choice and open new channels for collaboration.
Cornell offers a two-year residential MBA program on their main campus in beautiful upstate Ithaca, New York, with options for courses in New York City, as well as a one-year tech MBA. The one-year tech-driven program offers a studio-structured curriculum where students operate in cross-functional teams to develop solutions for nearby tech giants, with resources to commercialize their ideas. Both programs are STEM-certified intersecting business and tech. This is a bonus for international students, because those with the F-1 visa who are enrolled in a STEM-designated program become eligible for a STEM OPT (optional practical training) extension, allowing them to work in the US in an approved STEM field for up to 36 months.
Johnson puts a premium on small class size, engaged professors and its close-knit community. In fact, Johnson was rated No. 1 for Best Campus Environment in The Princeton Review’s 2023 B-School rankings. Johnson combines business fundamentals with a strong emphasis on applied learning, individually focused study, leadership development and intense collaboration. Yet the class is also wrapped in the academic universe of Cornell University, the largest Ivy League in the US, located in upstate New York.
Strengths and Specializations
Accounting, corporate social responsibility, ethics, technology
Graduating Class of 2026
Number of Applicants: 2553 (in 2023)
MBA Class Size: 282
Avg. Age: 28
Avg. Work Experience: 5.3 years
Avg. GPA: 3.34
Avg. GMAT: 710
International Students: 35%
Female Students: 41%
Tuition: $83,106/year
Post-MBA Careers (class of 2023)
Career Sectors: Consulting 42%; Finance 35%; Tech & Telecoms 11%; CPG 5%
Top Recruiters: Altman Solon, Amazon, Bain, Bank of America, BCG, Citi, EY, Goldman Sachs, Guggenheim, Jefferies, JP Morgan, McKinsey, Morgan Stanley, UBS, Pwc Strategy&, Wells Fargo
Avg. Base Salary: $162,808; Salary Increase: 150% (source: FT Rankings 2024)
Employment offered within 3 months of graduation: 94%
Cornell Johnson Rankings
Admissions
Deadlines for 2025-2026: R1 Sept 17, 2025; R2 Jan 8, 2026; R3 Apr 7, 2026
Essays:
Essay 1. Goals Statement
A statement of your goals will begin a conversation that will last throughout the admissions process and guide your steps during the MBA program and experience. To the best of your understanding today, please share your short and long term goals by completing the following sentences and answering the enclosed short answer question (350 words maximum):
Immediately post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) [Role] at [Company] within [Industry].
Targeted Job Role:
Target Job Company:
Industry:
In 5–10 years post-MBA, my goal is to work as a(n) [Role] at [Company] within [Industry].
Targeted Job Role:
Target Job Company:
Industry:
Please share how you plan to utilize the resources available at Johnson, as well as any personal resources to transition to your immediate post-MBA career goal.
Essay 2. Impact Essay or The Unique Trait that Defines Me
At Cornell, our students and alumni share a desire to positively impact the organizations and communities they serve. How do you intend to make a meaningful impact on the Johnson community? (350 word limit) or What is something unique about you that others will remember you by, and how will this trait help you contribute and engage with the Cornell MBA community? (350 words maximum)
Optional Essay: You may use this essay to call attention to items needing clarification and to add additional details to any aspects of your application that do not accurately reflect your potential for success at Johnson. (350 words maximum)
Fortuna Tips & Advice
Read Fortuna’s Tips & Strategy for Cornell Johnson’s Essays
View our hour-long video strategy session: Behind the MBA Admissions Curtain with The Committee from HBS, Cornell & LBS.