Cooper Union vs. Hamilton College

Comparable Facts

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

Hamilton College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (2,031 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); Hamilton College is in Clinton, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hamilton 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; Hamilton College 9:1.

Cooper Union vs. Hamilton College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College ($26,283 vs. $28,719).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamilton College are 8.3% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($17,510 vs. $19,090).
• Hamilton College is 47.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $22,140 more per year; $68,960.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.3% higher at Hamilton College than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $22,140 more per year; $68,960.00 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 Hamilton College (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hamilton College students is 43.2% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($55,511 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Hamilton College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cooper Union or Hamilton 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 Hamilton College and Cooper Union.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hamilton College (1500) is 100 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Hamilton College 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; Hamilton College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Hamilton College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Hamilton College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Hamilton College Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hamilton College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Hamilton College (13.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 39% at Hamilton College.

Cooper Union vs. Hamilton College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Hamilton 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).

• Hamilton College's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Hamilton College earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,000 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have a $902 lower median loan debt than Cooper Union graduates ($15,760 vs. $16,662).
• Among borrowers, Hamilton College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cooper Union graduates ($162 vs. $172).
• More Hamilton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.