Cooper Union vs. RISD

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and Rhode Island School of Design side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Rhode Island School of Design

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: RISD (18.7% admitted vs 20.7%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cooper Union. Average net price is $26,283 vs $43,492 at RISD.
  • Graduation: Cooper Union 76% vs RISD 87%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cooper Union $64,000 vs RISD $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Rhode Island School of Design
Acceptance rate
RISD more selective
Cooper Union20.7%
RISD18.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RISD higher
Cooper Union1295-1501
RISD1396-1530
Average net price
Cooper Union $17,209 less
Cooper Union$26,283
RISD$43,492
In-state tuition
Cooper Union $15,868 less
Cooper Union$46,820
RISD$62,688
Out-of-state tuition
Cooper Union $15,868 less
Cooper Union$46,820
RISD$62,688
Graduation rate
RISD +11 pts
Cooper Union76%
RISD87%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cooper Union +$12,900
Cooper Union$64,000
RISD$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cooper Union 1,806
  • RISD 6,692
  • Admitted
  • Cooper Union 374
  • RISD 1,249
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cooper Union 20.7%
  • RISD 18.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cooper Union 52.4%
  • RISD 41.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cooper Union 1400
  • RISD 1460
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cooper Union 31
  • RISD 32
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cooper Union 3.75
  • RISD 3.71
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cooper Union A-
  • RISD A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cooper Union Exceptional
  • RISD Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Cooper Union Very High
  • RISD Very High
  • SAT range
  • Cooper Union 1295-1501
  • RISD 1396-1530
  • ACT range
  • Cooper Union 28-34
  • RISD 31-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Cooper Union Test optional
  • RISD Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027
  • RISD Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cooper Union $46,820
  • RISD $62,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cooper Union $46,820
  • RISD $62,688
  • Room & board
  • Cooper Union $19,090
  • RISD $16,626
  • Average net price
  • Cooper Union $26,283
  • RISD $43,492
  • Average grant aid
  • Cooper Union $38,755
  • RISD $38,223
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cooper Union 100%
  • RISD 31%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cooper Union 76%
  • RISD 87%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cooper Union $64,000
  • RISD $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cooper Union 75%
  • RISD 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cooper Union $16,662
  • RISD $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Cooper Union $172
  • RISD $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cooper Union 8:1
  • RISD 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cooper Union
    • Engineering (58%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (31%)
    • Architecture (11%)
  • RISD
    • Visual and Performing Arts (73%)
    • Architecture (18%)
    • Work and Family Studies (5%)
    • Precision Production Trades (4%)
  • Location
  • Cooper Union New York, NY
  • RISD Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Cooper Union Large City
  • RISD Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cooper Union 933
  • RISD 2,520
  • Type
  • Cooper Union Private 4 Year
  • RISD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cooper Union
  • RISD #92

Comparable Facts

Compare The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, NY with Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rhode Island School of Design is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (2,520 students vs. 933 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Rhode Island School of Design is in Providence, RI (Midsize City setting).
  • The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island School of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; Rhode Island School of Design 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island School of Design are 12.9% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($16,626 vs. $19,090).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at RISD than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $15,868 more per year; $62,688 vs. $46,820).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than at Rhode Island School of Design (100% vs. 31%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 1.4% larger than aid received by Rhode Island School of Design students ($38,755 vs. $38,223).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RISD than at Cooper Union (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Cooper Union and RISD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; RISD Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cooper Union average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at RISD (3.71).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 41.5% at RISD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $10,338 lower median loan debt than RISD graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RISD graduates ($172 vs. $279).
  • More RISD 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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