Cooper Union vs. USMMA

Comparable Facts

Compare The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, NY with United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

United States Merchant Marine Academy is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (976 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); United States Merchant Marine Academy is in Kings Point, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; United States Merchant Marine Academy 13:1.

Cooper Union vs. USMMA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or USMMA? 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 United States Merchant Marine Academy than Cooper Union ($4,101 vs. $26,283).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is 5,131.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $45,925 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5,131.3% higher at Cooper Union than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $45,925 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (100% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 664.9% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($38,755 vs. $5,067).

Cooper Union vs. USMMA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 190 points higher than at USMMA (1210).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at USMMA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; United States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; USMMA - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; USMMA Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at USMMA (3.6).
• USMMA has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 64.1% at USMMA.

Cooper Union vs. USMMA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of about $28,400 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($92,400 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $10,162 lower median loan debt than Cooper Union graduates ($6,500 vs. $16,662).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cooper Union graduates ($67 vs. $172).

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.