Wesleyan University vs. Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT 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.

Wesleyan University is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (4,011 students vs. 933 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, CT (Small City setting); The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• Wesleyan 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: Wesleyan University 8:1; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1.

Wesleyan University vs. Cooper Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University than Cooper Union ($23,025 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 3.9% lower than at Wesleyan University ($19,090 vs. $19,872).
• Wesleyan University is 50.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $23,522 more per year; $70,342.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.2% higher at Wesleyan University than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $23,522 more per year; $70,342.00 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 Wesleyan University (100% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wesleyan University students is 70.3% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($65,995 vs. $38,755).

Wesleyan University vs. Cooper Union Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wesleyan University 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 Wesleyan University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wesleyan University (1480) is 80 points higher than at Cooper Union (1400).
• Incoming Wesleyan University 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: Wesleyan University 1415/1540; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wesleyan University 33/35; The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wesleyan University - Test optional; Cooper Union - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wesleyan University Jan 1, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
• Cooper Union has a higher acceptance rate (20.7%) than Wesleyan University (16.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Wesleyan University vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Wesleyan University vs. Cooper Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wesleyan University 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).

• Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (92%) 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 $6,000 more per year than Wesleyan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $838 lower median loan debt than Wesleyan University graduates ($16,662 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wesleyan University graduates ($172 vs. $180).
• More Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.