Barnard vs. Cooper Union

Barnard College and The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Barnard College
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 20.7%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,407 at Barnard vs $26,283 at Cooper Union. Barnard in-state tuition is about $23,068 more per year.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs Cooper Union 76%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs Cooper Union $64,000 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Barnard8.8%
Cooper Union20.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Barnard1470-1560
Cooper Union1295-1501
Average net price
About even
Barnard$26,407
Cooper Union$26,283
In-state tuition
Cooper Union $23,068 less
Barnard$69,888
Cooper Union$46,820
Out-of-state tuition
Cooper Union $23,068 less
Barnard$69,888
Cooper Union$46,820
Graduation rate
Barnard +16 pts
Barnard92%
Cooper Union76%
Median earnings (10 years)
Barnard +$2,900
Barnard$66,900
Cooper Union$64,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Cooper Union 1,806
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Cooper Union 374
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Cooper Union 20.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Cooper Union 52.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • Cooper Union 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • Cooper Union 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Cooper Union 3.75
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • Cooper Union A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • Cooper Union Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • Cooper Union Very High
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • Cooper Union 1295-1501
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Cooper Union 28-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Cooper Union Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Cooper Union $46,820
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Cooper Union $46,820
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Cooper Union $19,090
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Cooper Union $26,283
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • Cooper Union $38,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • Cooper Union 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • Cooper Union 76%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Cooper Union $64,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • Cooper Union 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Cooper Union $16,662
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • Cooper Union $172
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Cooper Union 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Cooper Union
    • Engineering (58%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (31%)
    • Architecture (11%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Cooper Union New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • Cooper Union Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Cooper Union 933
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • Cooper Union Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • Cooper Union

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY 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 tables above.

Barnard College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 933 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art are 12.1% lower than at Barnard College ($19,090 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 49.3% higher at Barnard than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $23,068 more per year; $69,888 vs. $46,820).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than at Barnard College (100% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 62.9% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($63,131 vs. $38,755).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Barnard than at Cooper Union (33 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Barnard and Cooper Union.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Barnard average a 3.85 high school GPA, 0.1 higher than at Cooper Union (3.75).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 52.4% at Cooper Union.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $1,185 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($16,662 vs. $17,847).
  • Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($172 vs. $184).
  • More Barnard 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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