Cooper Union vs. Mason

Comparable Facts

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

George Mason University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (39,766 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); George Mason University is in Fairfax, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. George Mason University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; George Mason University 16:1.

Cooper Union vs. Mason Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Mason? 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 George Mason University than Cooper Union ($18,823 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Mason University are 17.6% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($15,725 vs. $19,090).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is 229.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mason (about $32,600 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $14,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Cooper Union than at George Mason University (about $8,132 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $38,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than at George Mason University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 201.5% larger than aid received by George Mason University students ($38,755 vs. $12,852).

Cooper Union vs. Mason Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 140 points higher than at Mason (1260).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at Mason).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; George Mason University 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; George Mason University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Mason - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Mason Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Mason (3.68).
• Mason has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 20.2% at Mason.

Cooper Union vs. Mason Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Mason? 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 George Mason University's (64%).
• Graduates from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Mason graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $61,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $3,088 lower median loan debt than Mason graduates ($16,662 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mason graduates ($172 vs. $204).
• More Cooper Union graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mason students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 73%)

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.