Fairfield University vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

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

Fairfield University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (6,864 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fairfield University is located in Fairfield, CT (Large Suburban setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Fairfield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fairfield University 12:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Fairfield University vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fairfield University or Cooper Union? 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 Fairfield University ($26,283 vs. $49,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art are 3.8% lower than at Fairfield University ($19,090 vs. $19,838).
• Fairfield University is 24.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $11,530 more per year; $58,350.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.6% higher at Fairfield University than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $11,530 more per year; $58,350.00 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 Fairfield University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 47.5% larger than aid received by Fairfield University students ($38,755 vs. $26,274).

Fairfield University vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 70 points higher than at Fairfield University (1330).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Fairfield University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 1260/1390; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fairfield University 29/32; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fairfield University - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fairfield University Jan 15, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Fairfield University (3.67).
• Fairfield University has a higher acceptance rate (33.3%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.7% at Fairfield University vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Fairfield University vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fairfield University and Cooper Union? 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).

• Fairfield University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Fairfield University earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,100 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 $10,338 lower median loan debt than Fairfield University graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fairfield University graduates ($172 vs. $279).
• More Fairfield University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.