Clarkson vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY 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.

Clarkson University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (3,348 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clarkson University is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Clarkson 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: Clarkson University 13:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Clarkson vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clarkson 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 Clarkson ($26,283 vs. $32,406).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarkson University are 4.4% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($18,252 vs. $19,090).
• Clarkson University is 26.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $12,578 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.9% higher at Clarkson than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $12,578 more per year; $59,398.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Clarkson University as at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clarkson University students is 20.1% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($46,528 vs. $38,755).

Clarkson vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarkson 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 Clarkson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 100 points higher than at Clarkson (1300).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Clarkson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 1200/1390; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clarkson University 25/32; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clarkson - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clarkson Jan 15, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Clarkson students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Clarkson has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Clarkson vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Clarkson vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clarkson 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).

• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Clarkson University's (72%).
• Graduates from Clarkson University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,800 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 Clarkson graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clarkson graduates ($172 vs. $279).
• More Clarkson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.