Natural Resources (MS)

At Cornell University, tuition comes to 29,500 USD per year.

This Master of Science (MS) program is designed for students undertaking a one to two year research project to enhance professional credentials or prepare for a Ph.D. The program emphasizes individualized graduate education through fundamental faculty mentoring, with course requirements determined by the student's advisory committee. Students typically conduct a research project after initial coursework and complete a research thesis.

Focus areas include Applied ecology, Community-based natural resources management, Conservation biology, Ecosystem biology and biogeochemistry, Fishery and aquatic science, Forest science.

Course requirements are determined by the student's Special Committee, with enrollment in a GRAD research course expected each semester. Students typically complete a research project and thesis within two to three years.

After completing their degree, they commonly take jobs in the nonprofit or government sector or go for a Ph.D.

Admission requires meeting all Graduate School requirements, including English proficiency, submitting three letters of recommendation, and a curriculum vita. Crucially, a faculty member must sponsor your application, requiring you to correspond with and obtain sponsorship from a faculty advisor before applying.

This is an in-person program located in Ithaca, NY, typically completed within two to three years. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 8% of applicants.

Cornell University, founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York, is an Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with broad public engagement. As both a privately endowed institution and New York State's statutory land-grant university, Cornell brings together liberal arts, engineering, agriculture, and professional schools to offer wide academic choice across more than twenty colleges and programs. Its historic mission emphasizes teaching, research, and service, making Cornell a global destination for students seeking depth and interdisciplinary opportunity.

Academically, Cornell is known for high-impact research across the sciences, humanities, and applied fields. With about 25,582 students and over 6,200 international learners, the campus provides extensive resources including research centers, interdisciplinary institutes, and industry partnerships that support undergraduate and graduate training. Students benefit from hands-on learning, internship networks, and faculty mentorship that often include international collaborations and community-engaged projects.

Life in Ithaca balances scenic natural spaces with a lively arts and dining scene and strong student services, from career counseling to study abroad advising. Residential options, student clubs, and entrepreneurial hubs help newcomers settle in and build professional pathways both in the United States and abroad. For international applicants seeking world-class research, wide program choice, and a community that values public service and innovation, Cornell offers a supportive and stimulating environment.