Princeton vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Princeton University in Princeton, NJ 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.

Princeton University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Princeton 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: Princeton University 5:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Princeton vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Cooper Union ($15,313 vs. $26,283).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art are 5.7% lower than at Princeton University ($19,090 vs. $20,250).
• Princeton University is 33.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $15,868 more per year; $62,688.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at Princeton than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $15,868 more per year; $62,688.00 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 Princeton University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 77.3% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($68,727 vs. $38,755).

Princeton vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 150 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Cooper Union (3.75).
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Princeton vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $49,900 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $64,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $9,162 lower median loan debt than Cooper Union graduates ($7,500 vs. $16,662).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cooper Union graduates ($77 vs. $172).
• More Princeton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.