Cooper Union vs. Union College

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

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

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cooper Union (20.7% admitted vs 43.9%). Typical SAT 1400 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cooper Union. Average net price is $26,283 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: Cooper Union 76% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cooper Union $64,000 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Union College
Acceptance rate
Cooper Union more selective
Cooper Union20.7%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cooper Union higher
Cooper Union1295-1501
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
Cooper Union $15,854 less
Cooper Union$26,283
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
Cooper Union $22,219 less
Cooper Union$46,820
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
Cooper Union $22,219 less
Cooper Union$46,820
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Union College +10 pts
Cooper Union76%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Union College +$10,200
Cooper Union$64,000
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cooper Union 1,806
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • Cooper Union 374
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cooper Union 20.7%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cooper Union 52.4%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cooper Union 1400
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cooper Union 31
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cooper Union 3.75
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cooper Union A-
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cooper Union Exceptional
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Cooper Union Very High
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • Cooper Union 1295-1501
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Cooper Union 28-34
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Cooper Union Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cooper Union $46,820
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cooper Union $46,820
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • Cooper Union $19,090
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • Cooper Union $26,283
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • Cooper Union $38,755
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cooper Union 100%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cooper Union 76%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cooper Union $64,000
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cooper Union 75%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cooper Union $16,662
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Cooper Union $172
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cooper Union 8:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cooper Union
    • Engineering (58%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (31%)
    • Architecture (11%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Cooper Union New York, NY
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • Cooper Union Large City
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cooper Union 933
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • Cooper Union Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cooper Union
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

Compare The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, NY with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Union College is larger than Cooper Union based on total student enrollment (2,065 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); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
  • The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 8:1; Union College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 10.9% lower than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($17,010 vs. $19,090).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.5% higher at Union College than at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (about $22,219 more per year; $69,039 vs. $46,820).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art than at Union College (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 9.8% larger than aid received by The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art students ($42,534 vs. $38,755).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Cooper Union students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 31) as students at Union College (31).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Cooper Union and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cooper Union Jan 8, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cooper Union average a 3.75 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 52.4% at Cooper Union vs. 13.9% at Union College.

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 Union College graduates ($16,662 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cooper Union graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($172 vs. $279).
  • More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cooper Union students, three years after graduation (86% 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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