Cooper Union vs. Washington and Lee

Comparable Facts

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

Washington and Lee University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (2,241 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); Washington and Lee University is in Lexington, VA (Distant Town setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; Washington and Lee University 7:1.

Cooper Union vs. Washington and Lee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Washington and Lee? 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 Washington and Lee University than Cooper Union ($23,055 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington and Lee University are 2.1% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($18,685 vs. $19,090).
• Washington and Lee University is 45.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $21,225 more per year; $68,045.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.3% higher at Washington and Lee than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $21,225 more per year; $68,045.00 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 Washington and Lee University (100% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington and Lee University students is 65% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($63,945 vs. $38,755).

Cooper Union vs. Washington and Lee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington and Lee University (1490) is 90 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Washington and Lee 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; Washington and Lee University 1430/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Washington and Lee University 33/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Washington and Lee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Washington and Lee Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington and Lee students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Washington and Lee (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 41.2% at Washington and Lee.

Cooper Union vs. Washington and Lee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Washington and Lee? 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).

• Washington and Lee University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Washington and Lee University earn a median of about $25,000 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,000 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 $4,838 lower median loan debt than Washington and Lee graduates ($16,662 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington and Lee graduates ($172 vs. $222).
• More Washington and Lee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.