BU vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Boston University in Boston, 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.

Boston University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Boston University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Boston 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: Boston University 10:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

BU vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BU 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 Boston University than Cooper Union ($24,420 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 0.4% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($19,020 vs. $19,090).
• Boston University is 45.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $21,282 more per year; $68,102.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.5% higher at BU than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $21,282 more per year; $68,102.00 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 Boston University (100% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 59.6% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($61,848 vs. $38,755).

BU vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BU 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 BU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Boston University (1480) is 80 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming BU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Cooper Union).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 1420/1530; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Boston University 32/34; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BU - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than BU (11.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

BU vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BU 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).

• Boston University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Boston University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($72,000 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 $10,338 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($172 vs. $279).
• More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.