Cooper Union vs. Saint Joseph's University

Comparable Facts

Compare The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, NY with Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (7,159 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); Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 11:1.

Cooper Union vs. Saint Joseph's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cooper Union or Saint Joseph's University? 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 The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than Saint Joseph's University ($26,283 vs. $31,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia are 14.9% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($16,240 vs. $19,090).
• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cooper Union (about $6,440 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Saint Joseph's University than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $6,440 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $46,820.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art as at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia students ($38,755 vs. $36,964).

Cooper Union vs. Saint Joseph's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cooper Union or Saint Joseph's University? 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 Saint Joseph's University and Cooper Union.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (1400) is 140 points higher than at Saint Joseph's University (1260).
• Incoming Cooper Union students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Saint Joseph's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 1295/1501; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1170/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 28/34; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cooper Union - Test optional; Saint Joseph's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Saint Joseph's University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cooper Union students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Saint Joseph's University (3.65).
• Saint Joseph's University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Cooper Union (20.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 14.1% at Saint Joseph's University.

Cooper Union vs. Saint Joseph's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cooper Union and Saint Joseph's University? 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).

• The graduation rate at Cooper Union is the same as at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (76% vs. 76%).
• Graduates of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and Saint Joseph's University have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $64,000), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art graduates have a $6,346 lower median loan debt than Saint Joseph's University graduates ($16,662 vs. $23,008).
• Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Joseph's University graduates ($172 vs. $237).
• More Saint Joseph's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.