C
Private 4 Year

Cooper Union Admission Requirements

New York, New York

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Your chances of getting into Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

22.5%
Admission Difficulty for Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Cooper Union is 22.5%.  Its admission rate is the 11th lowest in New York and the 78th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Cooper Union and can you get accepted?

Cooper Union is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 337 out of the 1,500 who applied were admitted.

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 54% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into Cooper Union?

22% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1460 on the SAT
  • Score 33 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Cooper Union GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.75

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Cooper Union are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Cooper Union is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Cooper Union is 3.75 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #16 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Cooper Union is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Cooper Union SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 49% of students submitted SAT scores and 15% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1390-1530

Applicants Submitting SAT 

49%
SAT Scores for Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 670
Math 25th Percentile 720
Composite 25th Percentile 1390
SAT Scores for Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 740
Math 75th Percentile 790
Composite 75th Percentile 1530
Average SAT Score 1460

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Cooper Union is 1460 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1390-1530. Students who get into Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art score in the top 5 percent of all SAT test takers..  Cooper Union ranks #10 in the state of New York and #53 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1460 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Cooper Union regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1390 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1390, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1320, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1460 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1460, you have around a 22% chance of being admitted. A 1530 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 35% chance of getting in.

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1530 and Above Good >35%
1460 to 1530 Avg + 22%-35%
1390 to 1460 Avg - 13%-22%
1320 to 1390 Reach 7%-13%
Less than 1320 Low <7%
Calculate My Chances 

Cooper Union ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

31-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

15%
ACT Scores for Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 32
Math 25th Percentile 30
Composite 25th Percentile 31
ACT Scores for Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 35
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 33

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Cooper Union?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Cooper Union is 33, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 31 and 35.  The school ranks #7 in New York and #45 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 33. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 31 and score in the score in the top 5 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 29.

15 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Cooper Union for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 33 score has around 22% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 35% with a 35 ACT score.

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >35%
33 to 35 Avg + 22%-35%
31 to 33 Avg - 13%-22%
29 to 31 Reach 7%-13%
Less than 29 Low <7%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

51% of Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 51%
Top 25% of class 85%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 682 818 1,500
Accepted 175 162 337
Acceptance Rate 26% 20% 22%
Enrolled 110 73 183
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 63% 45% 54%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 8, 2025

Days left to Apply

14

Applicants have 14 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 8, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Cooper Union is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.75 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1460 on the SAT and optimally 1530 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 33 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=190372 IPEDS survey data for Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.

Last updated February 24, 2024