Cooper Union vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (26,409 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 Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main 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 Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Cooper Union vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Cooper Union ($18,427 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 22.5% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($14,800 vs. $19,090).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is 114.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $25,017 more per year; $46,820.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at UVA than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $12,692 more per year; $59,512.00 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 Virginia Main Campus (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 35% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($38,755 vs. $28,715).

Cooper Union vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 80 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• 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 Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 40% at UVA.

Cooper Union vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 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 $2,838 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($16,662 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($172 vs. $201).
• More UVA 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.