Cooper Union vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

Dickinson College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (2,314 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); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

Cooper Union vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College ($26,283 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dickinson College are 10.4% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($17,100 vs. $19,090).
• Dickinson College is 40.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $18,830 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.2% higher at Dickinson College than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $18,830 more per year; $65,650.00 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 Dickinson College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 14.8% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($44,479 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cooper Union or Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College 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 Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Dickinson College (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; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Dickinson College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

Cooper Union vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Dickinson College? 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).

• Dickinson College's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $4,338 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($16,662 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($172 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College 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.