The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art campus

Cooper Union Admission Requirements

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4 Year
New York, NY
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Cooper Union Admission Overview

Cooper Union admission requirements are very highly competitive. Last year Cooper Union admitted 20.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.75 GPA (A-) and SAT 1295-1501 / ACT 28-34. Cooper Union is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Cooper Union is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://cooper.edu/admissions/standardized-test-requirements

Cooper Union Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

20.7%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Cooper Union acceptance rate is 20.7%. Last year, only 374 of 1,806 applicants were admitted. That is the 11th lowest acceptance rate in New York and the 76th lowest in 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, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art typically 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 admitted, 52% enrolled. That suggests Cooper Union is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Cooper Union GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.75

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.75

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Cooper Union typically have around a 3.75 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.75 average does not by itself determine admission. Cooper Union is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #16 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Cooper Union Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The Cooper Union requires SAT or ACT scores for School of Engineering applicants. Architecture and Art applicants are test-optional and are not advantaged or disadvantaged by submitting or omitting scores. SAT writing and ACT science and writing are not required. Applicants may self-report on the Common Application or upload unofficial reports; official scores are required upon enrollment. Engineering applicants facing extenuating circumstances may request a waiver; approval is not guaranteed.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://cooper.edu/admissions/standardized-test-requirements

Cooper Union SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1295-1501

Freshmen who sent SAT

31%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 653
Math 642
Composite 1295

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 748
Math 753
Composite 1501

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Cooper Union typically score around a 1400 SAT (middle 50% 1295–1501) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 95th percentile nationally. Cooper Union ranks #17 in the state of New York and #106 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1295 to 1501

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1295–1501 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Cooper Union is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1400 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1501+	Above 75th	>34%
1400 to 1501	Avg +	21%-34%
1295 to 1400	Avg -	12%-21%
Below 1295	Below mid-50	<12%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Cooper Union ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

28-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 27
Math 26
Composite 28

75th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 34
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Cooper Union typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 28–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Cooper Union places #12 among colleges in New York and #102 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 28–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Cooper Union without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>34%
31 to 34	Avg +	21%-34%
28 to 31	Avg -	12%-21%
Below 28	Below mid-50	<12%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

51% of The 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 The 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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Cooper Union chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	812	994	1,806
Accepted	177	197	374
Acceptance Rate	22%	20%	21%
Enrolled	101	95	196
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	57%	48%	52%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 8, 2027

Days left to Apply

130

Applicants have 130 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 8, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Cooper Union is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 20.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.75 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1295-1501); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025