Cooper Union vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (35,724 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

Cooper Union vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than Cooper Union ($25,223 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 28.7% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($13,620 vs. $19,090).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is 113.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pitt (about $24,894 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $21,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13% higher at Cooper Union than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (about $5,390 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $41,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 135% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($38,755 vs. $16,494).

Cooper Union vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 30 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Pitt (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; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Pitt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitt students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.79) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 13% at Pitt.

Cooper Union vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's six-year graduation rate (79%) 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 $6,000 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $10,247 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($16,662 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($172 vs. $278).
• More Pitt graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.