Cooper Union vs. Lehigh

Comparable Facts

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

Lehigh University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (7,692 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); Lehigh University is in Bethlehem, PA (Small City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lehigh 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; Lehigh University 10:1.

Cooper Union vs. Lehigh Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Lehigh? 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 Lehigh ($26,283 vs. $34,154).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lehigh University are 9.8% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($17,220 vs. $19,090).
• Lehigh University is 38.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $18,160 more per year; $64,980.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.8% higher at Lehigh than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $18,160 more per year; $64,980.00 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 Lehigh University (100% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lehigh University students is 20.6% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($46,731 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Lehigh Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lehigh University (1440) is 40 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Lehigh students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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; Lehigh University 1370/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Lehigh University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Lehigh - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Lehigh Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lehigh students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Lehigh has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 28.4% at Lehigh.

Cooper Union vs. Lehigh Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lehigh University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Lehigh University earn a median of about $25,200 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,200 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 $7,594 lower median loan debt than Lehigh graduates ($16,662 vs. $24,256).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lehigh graduates ($172 vs. $250).
• More Lehigh graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.