Cooper Union vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

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

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (15,888 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); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon 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; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Cooper Union vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($26,283 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carnegie Mellon University are 4.8% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($18,166 vs. $19,090).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 41.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $19,426 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $19,426 more per year; $66,246.00 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 Carnegie Mellon University (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 24.1% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($48,107 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 140 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon 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; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Cooper Union vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Carnegie Mellon? 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).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $38,700 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 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 $9,588 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($16,662 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($172 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.