Cooper Union vs. RPI

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (7,040 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); Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is in Troy, NY (Small City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1.

Cooper Union vs. RPI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or RPI? 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 RPI ($26,283 vs. $38,887).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are 5.1% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($18,120 vs. $19,090).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is 36.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $17,261 more per year; $64,081.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at RPI than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $17,261 more per year; $64,081.00 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 12.3% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($43,517 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. RPI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 40 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming RPI 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; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; RPI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; RPI Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 12.1% at RPI.

Cooper Union vs. RPI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's six-year graduation rate (84%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 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 $10,838 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($172 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.