Cooper Union vs. Houghton University

Comparable Facts

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

Houghton University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (1,200 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); Houghton University is in Houghton, NY (Remote Rural setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Houghton 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; Houghton University 12:1.

Cooper Union vs. Houghton University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Houghton University? 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 Houghton University than Cooper Union ($21,274 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houghton University are 40.5% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($11,360 vs. $19,090).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is 154% more expensive for in-state tuition than Houghton University (about $28,390 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154% higher at Cooper Union than at Houghton University (about $28,390 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $18,430.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art as at Houghton University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 291.4% larger than aid received by Houghton University students ($38,755 vs. $9,902).

Cooper Union vs. Houghton University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 130 points higher than at Houghton University (1270).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Houghton University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; Houghton University 1170/1375.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Houghton University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Houghton University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Houghton University (3.25).
• Houghton University has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 23.2% at Houghton University.

Cooper Union vs. Houghton University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Houghton University? 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 Houghton University's (68%).
• Graduates from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than Houghton University graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $8,838 lower median loan debt than Houghton University graduates ($16,662 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Houghton University graduates ($172 vs. $263).
• More Houghton University 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.