Colby College vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Colby College in Waterville, ME 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.

Colby College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (2,412 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colby College is located in Waterville, ME (Remote Town setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Colby College 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: Colby College 9:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Colby College vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colby College 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 Colby College than Cooper Union ($16,219 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colby College are 6.3% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($17,890 vs. $19,090).
• Colby College is 48.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $22,780 more per year; $69,600.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.7% higher at Colby College than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $22,780 more per year; $69,600.00 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 Colby College (100% vs. 45%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colby College students is 78.6% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($69,201 vs. $38,755).

Colby College vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colby College 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 Colby College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colby College (1510) is 110 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Colby College 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: Colby College 1460/1550; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colby College 32/34; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colby College - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colby College Jan 1, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colby College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Colby College (7.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.2% at Colby College vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Colby College vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colby College 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).

• Colby College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Colby College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,400 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 $2,683 lower median loan debt than Colby College graduates ($16,662 vs. $19,345).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colby College graduates ($172 vs. $200).
• More Colby College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.