Cooper Union vs. Ithaca College

Comparable Facts

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

Ithaca College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (4,767 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); Ithaca College is in Ithaca, NY (Small Suburban setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ithaca 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; Ithaca College 10:1.

Cooper Union vs. Ithaca College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Ithaca 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 Ithaca College ($26,283 vs. $35,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ithaca College are 15.2% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($16,192 vs. $19,090).
• Ithaca College is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $6,720 more per year; $53,540.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.4% higher at Ithaca College than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $6,720 more per year; $53,540.00 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 Ithaca College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Ithaca College students ($38,755 vs. $33,450).

Cooper Union vs. Ithaca College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 90 points higher than at Ithaca College (1310).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Ithaca College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; Ithaca College 1230/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Ithaca College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Ithaca College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Ithaca College Feb 1, 2027.
• Ithaca College has a higher acceptance rate (69%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 12.3% at Ithaca College.

Cooper Union vs. Ithaca College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Ithaca 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).

• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Ithaca College's (74%).
• Graduates from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Ithaca College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $9,088 lower median loan debt than Ithaca College graduates ($16,662 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ithaca College graduates ($172 vs. $266).
• More Ithaca College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.