Cooper Union vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (26,793 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); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell 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; Cornell University 9:1.

Cooper Union vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Cornell? 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 Cornell ($26,283 vs. $26,361).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art are 1.7% lower than at Cornell University ($19,090 vs. $19,428).
• Cornell University is 48% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $22,494 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48% higher at Cornell than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $22,494 more per year; $69,314.00 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 Cornell University (100% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 59.4% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($61,779 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 140 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Cornell 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; Cornell 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; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Cooper Union vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $34,400 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $4,662 lower median loan debt than Cooper Union graduates ($12,000 vs. $16,662).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cooper Union graduates ($124 vs. $172).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.