Cooper Union vs. Brown

Comparable Facts

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

Brown University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Brown University is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; Brown University 6:1.

Cooper Union vs. Brown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Brown? 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 Brown University than Cooper Union ($26,256 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 8.6% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($17,444 vs. $19,090).
• Brown University is 52.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $24,592 more per year; $71,412.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.5% higher at Brown than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $24,592 more per year; $71,412.00 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 Brown University (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 58.4% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($61,392 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Brown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cooper Union or Brown? 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 Brown and Cooper Union.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brown University (1550) is 150 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Brown students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Cooper Union).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; Brown University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Brown University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Brown - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Brown Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Brown students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Brown (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 65.2% at Brown.

Cooper Union vs. Brown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Brown? 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).

• Brown University's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Brown University earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($87,600 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brown University graduates have a $1,662 lower median loan debt than Cooper Union graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,662).
• Among borrowers, Brown graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cooper Union graduates ($155 vs. $172).
• More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.