Cooper Union vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (2,462 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); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar 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; Vassar College 7:1.

Cooper Union vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($26,283 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Vassar College are 4.5% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($18,240 vs. $19,090).
• Vassar College is 51.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $24,210 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.7% higher at Vassar than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $24,210 more per year; $71,030.00 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 Vassar College (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 48.2% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($57,443 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 100 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Cooper Union vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) 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 $5,600 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $882 lower median loan debt than Cooper Union graduates ($15,780 vs. $16,662).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cooper Union graduates ($163 vs. $172).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.