Cooper Union vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (21,153 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); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel 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; Drexel University 9:1.

Cooper Union vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($26,283 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 5.2% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($18,096 vs. $19,090).
• Drexel University is 33.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $15,592 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.3% higher at Drexel than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $15,592 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art as at Drexel University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Drexel University students ($38,755 vs. $35,051).

Cooper Union vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 60 points higher than at Drexel (1340).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Drexel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Drexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Drexel (3.67).
• Drexel has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Cooper Union vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Drexel University's (68%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 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 $9,581 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($16,662 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($172 vs. $271).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.