Colgate vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, 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.

Colgate University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (3,211 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Colgate 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: Colgate University 9:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Colgate vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate 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 Colgate ($26,283 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 7.8% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($17,610 vs. $19,090).
• Colgate University is 50.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $23,486 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at Colgate than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $23,486 more per year; $70,306.00 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 Colgate University (100% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 50.5% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($58,334 vs. $38,755).

Colgate vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate 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 Colgate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colgate University (1490) is 90 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Colgate 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: Colgate University 1430/1540; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colgate students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Colgate (13.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Colgate vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate 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).

• Colgate University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Colgate University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($75,300 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $537 lower median loan debt than Cooper Union graduates ($16,125 vs. $16,662).
• Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cooper Union graduates ($166 vs. $172).
• More Colgate 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.