George Washington vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC 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.

George Washington University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (25,374 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• George Washington 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: George Washington University 13:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

George Washington vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington 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 George Washington ($26,283 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 11.4% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($16,920 vs. $19,090).
• George Washington University is 44.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $20,890 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.6% higher at George Washington than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $20,890 more per year; $67,710.00 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 George Washington University (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 3.3% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($38,755 vs. $37,500).

George Washington vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington 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 George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at George Washington University (1430) is 30 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming George Washington students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Cooper Union).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman George Washington students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

George Washington vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington 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).

• George Washington University's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 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 $8,300 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($16,662 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($172 vs. $258).
• More George Washington 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.