Tufts vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Tufts University in Medford, 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.

Tufts University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Tufts 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: Tufts University 10:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Tufts vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts 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 Tufts ($26,283 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tufts University are 2.6% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($18,588 vs. $19,090).
• Tufts University is 51% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $23,884 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51% higher at Tufts than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $23,884 more per year; $70,704.00 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 Tufts University (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tufts University students is 44.3% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($55,933 vs. $38,755).

Tufts vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tufts 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 Tufts.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tufts University (1520) is 120 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Tufts 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: Tufts University 1470/1560; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tufts 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 Tufts (11.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Tufts vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts 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).

• Tufts University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's (76%).
• Graduates from Tufts University earn a median of about $19,100 more per year than Cooper Union graduates about ten years after starting college ($83,100 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 $1,338 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($16,662 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($172 vs. $186).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.