Northeastern vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University in Boston, MA 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.

Northeastern University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Northeastern 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: Northeastern University 16:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Northeastern vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern 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 Northeastern ($26,283 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art are 2.5% lower than at Northeastern University ($19,090 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $19,342 more per year; $66,162.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.3% higher at Northeastern than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $19,342 more per year; $66,162.00 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 Northeastern University (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University students is 30.1% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($50,421 vs. $38,755).

Northeastern vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern 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 Northeastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University (1490) is 90 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Northeastern 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: Northeastern University 1440/1540; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern University 33/35; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Jan 1, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northeastern students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Northeastern vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Northeastern vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern 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).

• Northeastern University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Northeastern University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,500 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 $11,213 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($172 vs. $288).
• More Northeastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.