Cooper Union vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (29,109 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); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Cooper Union vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Cooper Union ($23,570 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art are 0.4% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($19,090 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 46.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $21,866 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.7% higher at Penn than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $21,866 more per year; $68,686.00 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 University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 68.9% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($65,458 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 140 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 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; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 68% at Penn.

Cooper Union vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $59,600 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 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 $3,971 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($16,662 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($172 vs. $213).
• More Penn 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.