Knox College vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Knox College in Galesburg, IL 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.

Knox College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (1,136 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Knox College is located in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Knox College 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: Knox College 11:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Knox College vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Knox College 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 Knox College than Cooper Union ($25,709 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Knox College are 43.8% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($10,728 vs. $19,090).
• Knox College is 23.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $11,083 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at Knox College than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $11,083 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Knox College as at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Knox College students is 9.7% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($42,532 vs. $38,755).

Knox College vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Knox College 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 Knox College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 90 points higher than at Knox College (1310).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Knox College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 1180/1440; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 21/32; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Knox College - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Knox College Jan 15, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Knox College has a higher acceptance rate (70.8%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Knox College vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Knox College vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Knox College 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).

• Knox College's six-year graduation rate (78%) 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 $20,900 more per year than Knox College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $43,100), 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 Knox College graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Knox College graduates ($172 vs. $279).
• More Cooper Union graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Knox College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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.