Cooper Union vs. Bucknell

Comparable Facts

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

Bucknell University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (3,969 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); Bucknell University is in Lewisburg, PA (Distant Town setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bucknell 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; Bucknell University 9:1.

Cooper Union vs. Bucknell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Bucknell? 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 Bucknell ($26,283 vs. $39,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bucknell University are 11.3% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($16,924 vs. $19,090).
• Bucknell University is 44.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $20,992 more per year; $67,812.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.8% higher at Bucknell than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $20,992 more per year; $67,812.00 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 Bucknell University (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bucknell University students is 15.4% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($44,734 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Bucknell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 10 points higher than at Bucknell (1390).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Bucknell (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; Bucknell University 1310/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Bucknell University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Bucknell - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Bucknell Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Bucknell (3.62).
• Bucknell has a higher acceptance rate (28.9%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 30.1% at Bucknell.

Cooper Union vs. Bucknell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Bucknell University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Bucknell University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,300 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 Bucknell graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bucknell graduates ($172 vs. $279).
• More Bucknell 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.