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Cornell University Reviews

4.4

85% would recommend to a friend

(2944 total reviews)

Martha E. Pollack

84% approve of CEO

Ratings by category

4.4

Diversity and Inclusion

4.2

Culture and Values

4.2

Career Opportunities

4.0

Work/Life Balance

4.0

Senior Management

4.0

Compensation and Benefits

Ratings distribution

5 stars

55%

4 stars

31%

3 stars

10%

2 stars

3%

1 star

1%

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Found 2,944 of over 3K reviews

Updated 29 Nov 2023

Top Review Highlights by Sentiment

Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor

Pros
  • "Good benefits and options for healthcare coverage(in 197 reviews)
  • "The people are great; they are flexible and always there for you to ask questions of.(in 193 reviews)
  • "Highly flexible hours and workload.(in 103 reviews)
  • "Quite and beautiful campus with a lot of collaboration across labs(in 81 reviews)
  • "The staff is friendly and polite.(in 52 reviews)
Cons
    1. 5.0
      1 Nov 2023
      Research Scientist
      Former Employee
      Recommend
      CEO Approval
      Business Outlook

      Pros

      Flexible, access to knowledgeable people, difference making

      Cons

      Maximum working hours were 20/week

      1. 5.0
        20 May 2023
        Deputy Operations Director
        Former Employee
        Recommend
        CEO Approval
        Business Outlook

        Pros

        The university has all types of resources

        Cons

        located in the middle of nowhere

      2. Join the Cornell University team
        See Our Latest Jobs
        1. 5.0
          14 Apr 2023
          Research Assistant
          Current Employee
          Recommend
          CEO Approval
          Business Outlook

          Pros

          Learned quite a lot during my semester-long RA role

          Cons

          None that I can think of

          1. 4.0
            8 Nov 2022
            Research Assistant
            Former Employee
            Recommend
            CEO Approval
            Business Outlook

            Pros

            Learned a lot, hired with minimal experience

            Cons

            Tasks were tedious, pay was mediocre

            1. 5.0
              8 Dec 2020
              Research Assistant
              Former Employee
              Recommend
              CEO Approval
              Business Outlook

              Pros

              Great research experience working alongside prominent academic faculty

              Cons

              Conducting research can be challenging!

              1. 5.0
                11 Jan 2021
                Undergraduate Research Assistant
                Former Employee
                Recommend
                CEO Approval
                Business Outlook

                Pros

                Learned a lot in the process!

                Cons

                None that I can think of.

                1. 5.0
                  18 Sept 2023
                  Graduate Research Assistant
                  Current Employee, more than 5 years
                  Ithaca, NY
                  Recommend
                  CEO Approval
                  Business Outlook

                  Pros

                  Reputation: Cornell is an Ivy League university with a longstanding reputation for academic excellence. This prestigious association can open doors and offer valuable networking opportunities. Research Opportunities: The university is renowned for its cutting-edge research across various fields, providing faculty and staff with opportunities to engage in meaningful and impactful work. Resources & Facilities: Cornell boasts state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, labs, and other resources for its staff and faculty, facilitating high-quality work and innovation. Diverse Community: The university attracts students, faculty, and staff from all over the world, fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Professional Development: Cornell offers various programs, workshops, and courses to help employees grow professionally and academically. Natural Beauty: Ithaca, where Cornell's main campus is located, is known for its beautiful landscapes, gorges, and outdoor activities. This can be a draw for those who appreciate nature and outdoor recreation. Supportive Community: Cornell often emphasizes community, collaboration, and support amongst its faculty, staff, and students. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Given the breadth of programs and departments, there are ample opportunities for interdisciplinary work and collaboration across fields. Sustainability Initiatives: Cornell has made significant efforts in recent years to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly, which might appeal to environmentally-conscious individuals. Lifelong Learning: With access to a vast array of courses, lectures, and events, employees at Cornell can continually engage in lifelong learning. Alumni Network: The Cornell alumni network is vast and influential, providing connections and opportunities in various sectors worldwide.

                  Cons

                  Ithaca is known for its long, cold, and snowy winters, which can be a challenge for those not fond of or used to such weather.

                  1. 5.0
                    29 Nov 2023
                    Undergraduate Student
                    Current Employee
                    Recommend
                    CEO Approval
                    Business Outlook

                    Pros

                    - amazing opportunities - great, inspiring professors - CALS has many resources

                    Cons

                    - expensive - very cold in Ithaca

                    1. 3.0
                      25 Nov 2023
                      PhD Student
                      Current Employee, more than 5 years
                      Ithaca, NY
                      Recommend
                      CEO Approval
                      Business Outlook

                      Pros

                      Cornell has a great reputation and resources. Alumni network is very strong. Other grad students are generally very supportive (anyone who shows competitiveness usually doesn't have friends). Funding guaranteed for five years (at least in my department). Ithaca is really gorgeous.

                      Cons

                      As with any school, choose your advisor wisely. Some advisors at Cornell are selfish and don't consider your mental health at all.

                      1. 4.0
                        27 Nov 2023
                        Research Associate
                        Current Employee, more than 5 years
                        Ithaca, NY
                        Recommend
                        CEO Approval
                        Business Outlook

                        Pros

                        Health insurance through NY state, expensive, but covers 50k of infertility, medications. Cornell pays % of retirement.

                        Cons

                        You are still in academy. Life-work balance is not good.

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                      Cornell University Reviews FAQs

                      Cornell University has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5, based on over 3,247 reviews left anonymously by employees. 85% of employees would recommend working at Cornell University to a friend and 71% have a positive outlook for the business. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

                      According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Cornell University employees rate their compensation and benefits as 4.0 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Cornell University. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months.

                      85% of Cornell University employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews. Employees also rated Cornell University 4.0 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.2 for culture and values and 4.2 for career opportunities.

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