Cooper Union vs. Muhlenberg College

Comparable Facts

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

Muhlenberg College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (1,788 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); Muhlenberg College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Muhlenberg 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; Muhlenberg College 9:1.

Cooper Union vs. Muhlenberg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Muhlenberg 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 Muhlenberg College ($26,283 vs. $34,739).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Muhlenberg College are 23.8% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($14,548 vs. $19,090).
• Muhlenberg College is 34.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $15,985 more per year; $62,805.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Muhlenberg College than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $15,985 more per year; $62,805.00 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 Muhlenberg College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Muhlenberg College students is 9.8% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($42,545 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Muhlenberg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 70 points higher than at Muhlenberg College (1330).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Muhlenberg College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; Muhlenberg College 1250/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Muhlenberg College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Muhlenberg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Muhlenberg College Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Muhlenberg College (3.44).
• Muhlenberg College has a higher acceptance rate (72%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 13% at Muhlenberg College.

Cooper Union vs. Muhlenberg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Muhlenberg 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).

• Muhlenberg College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art earn a median of about $300 more per year than Muhlenberg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $63,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $9,828 lower median loan debt than Muhlenberg College graduates ($16,662 vs. $26,490).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Muhlenberg College graduates ($172 vs. $273).
• More Muhlenberg 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.