Bentley vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Bentley University in Waltham, MA with The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bentley University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (5,333 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bentley University is located in Waltham, MA (Small City setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Bentley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bentley University 12:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Bentley vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bentley or Cooper Union? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than Bentley ($26,283 vs. $45,802).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art are 5.2% lower than at Bentley University ($19,090 vs. $20,140).
• Bentley University is 30.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $14,180 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at Bentley than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $14,180 more per year; $61,000.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than at Bentley University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Bentley University students ($38,755 vs. $33,673).

Bentley vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bentley or Cooper Union? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cooper Union and Bentley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 40 points higher than at Bentley (1360).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Bentley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 1280/1430; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bentley University 28/31; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bentley - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bentley Jan 15, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bentley students have the same average high school GPA (3.75) as students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Bentley has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at Bentley vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Bentley vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bentley and Cooper Union? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bentley University's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Bentley University earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,200 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $9,838 lower median loan debt than Bentley graduates ($16,662 vs. $26,500).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bentley graduates ($172 vs. $274).
• More Bentley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 75%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.