Cooper Union vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Union College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (2,065 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); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union 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; Union College 9:1.

Cooper Union vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Union 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 Union College ($26,283 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 10.9% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($17,010 vs. $19,090).
• Union College is 47.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $22,219 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.5% higher at Union College than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $22,219 more per year; $69,039.00 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 Union College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 9.8% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($42,534 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is the same as at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Union 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; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Cooper Union vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Union 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).

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 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 $10,338 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($172 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.