Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about Johnson admissions, GMAT scores, deadlines, and more.
Admissions
What is the acceptance rate at Cornell Johnson?
Johnson's published class profile does not include an acceptance rate.
What GMAT score do I need for Johnson?
Johnson has no minimum GMAT or GRE score. The Two-Year MBA Class of 2027 reported a median GMAT of 710 on the classic GMAT (200-800 scale). Johnson says the middle 80% of its applicants submit GMAT scores between 660 and 740.
What GPA do I need for Johnson?
The median undergraduate GPA for the Two-Year MBA Class of 2027 was 3.4.
How much work experience do I need for Johnson?
Full-time work experience is not required to apply. The Class of 2027 averaged 5.3 years of full-time work experience.
What are the application deadlines for Johnson?
For the Two-Year MBA starting in August 2027: Round 1 is due September 17, 2026 (final notification December 9, 2026), Round 2 is due January 5, 2027 (March 26, 2027), and Round 3 is due April 6, 2027 (May 21, 2027).
Program
How long is the Johnson MBA program?
The Two-Year MBA in Ithaca runs two academic years and begins in August. The one-year Johnson Cornell Tech MBA in New York City begins in June.
What is the class size at Johnson?
The Two-Year MBA Class of 2027 enrolled 276 students.
How international is the Johnson MBA?
42% of the Class of 2027 are of international origin, representing 34 countries.
What percentage of the Johnson class are women?
38% of the Class of 2027 are women.
What other programs does Johnson offer?
Johnson also offers the one-year Johnson Cornell Tech MBA, three Executive MBA options (EMBA Americas, EMBA NYC, and EMBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership), and a Ph.D. in Management.
Career
What is the median salary for Johnson graduates?
The Two-Year MBA Class of 2025 reported a median base salary of $175,000 and an average base salary of $158,426.
What share of Johnson graduates receive job offers?
Of the Class of 2025 graduates seeking full-time employment, 85% received an offer and 83% accepted an offer within three months of graduation.
Financial
How much is tuition at Johnson?
Two-Year MBA tuition is $88,934 for the 2026-27 academic year.
What is the total cost of attendance at Johnson?
The estimated cost of attendance for the 2026-27 academic year is $127,278, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, and miscellaneous costs.
What is the application fee for Johnson?
The application fee is $250 and is non-refundable. Fee waivers are available for US military service members and veterans, Forte MBALaunch participants, Peace Corps volunteers, Teach for America alumni, and current Cornell students.
Application
What essays are required for the Johnson application?
A goals statement and one of two required essays: the Impact essay (350 words maximum) or the Table of Contents essay (350 words written, or multimedia under 3 minutes). An optional essay (350 words maximum) is required for reapplicants.
How many recommendation letters does Johnson require?
One professional recommendation is required and a second is optional. Johnson uses the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation.
Does Johnson require the TOEFL or IELTS?
Applicants whose first language is not English and who have not earned a university degree in an English-speaking country submit the TOEFL (minimum 100, with 25 in each section), IELTS Academic (7.0, with 7.0 in speaking and writing), or Duolingo English Test (120).
Does Johnson accept test waivers?
Johnson considers test waiver requests from applicants who meet one or more of these criteria: a STEM, business, or analytical/quantitative-focused undergraduate or graduate degree with a 3.0 GPA, second class upper division honors, or international equivalent; a CPA or CFA certification or international equivalent; or post-undergraduate, full-time work experience in an analytical or quantitative function. Meeting a criterion does not guarantee a waiver. The request includes a 100-word statement, must be made in the application (not after submission), and is decided within 5-7 business days. An approved waiver is valid only for the current cycle and the program applied to. A test score is required for Sage Scholarship consideration.
Does Johnson accept the Executive Assessment?
Yes. Johnson accepts the GMAT, GRE, and Executive Assessment for the Two-Year MBA. If you have more than one score, Johnson evaluates the exam with the highest total score.
Location
Where is Johnson located?
The Two-Year MBA is in Ithaca, NY. The Johnson Cornell Tech MBA is at Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island in New York City.