The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
#1 Best Colleges for Visual- Graduation Rate
- 81% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $83,847 A
- Top 3% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $13,269 B-
- 23% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 21% A
- Admits roughly 21% — highly selective
Bottom line: A A- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 122.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $122.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges for Visual.
Every $1 spent returns $122.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $6,424,142.
What The Data Says
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An A- overall — top 11% of all U.S. colleges on measured outcomes.
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Graduates earn 106% more than the national college median.
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A 81% graduation rate — 41% above the national average.
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Inventor rate in the top 5% nationally — patents, startups, and new technology flow from its graduates.
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Social mobility rate of 4.28% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 6.0%
- Top 5%
- Patents
- 96
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 299
- Downstream influence
Why The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Matters
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private college in New York, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by selective admissions, an unusually high rate of inventors and patents, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 3% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 842
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 21% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1295–1501. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,269 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $83,847 ten years after enrolling — 106% above the typical college, against $15,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 4.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 3% nationally for mobility.
See mobility →Overview
At The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, students dive deep into specialized fields like Engineering and Visual & Performing Arts. With an acceptance rate of 21%, this school attracts a diverse group of passionate individuals who are eager to explore their creative and technical sides. The strong graduation rate of 81% reflects a commitment to student success, and the tight-knit community in New York City enhances the learning experience, connecting students to countless opportunities in both industries.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $83,847 within ten years. That’s a solid return on investment, especially when considering the affordability of the education here. The net price after aid is about $13,269, which keeps the cost manageable for many students. Given that 28% of students receive Pell Grants, it’s clear that Cooper Union aims to support those who need it most, making it a viable option for a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
When we look at the practicalities, the median debt for graduates stands at $15,000. This relatively low debt load, combined with the strong earnings potential, means graduates are well-positioned to thrive in their careers. The school attracts students who are not just academically driven but also engaged in their communities, making it an ideal fit for those who want to blend their passions with practical skills in a collaborative environment.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in New York, New York, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art sets a competitive bar: about 21% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,410. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 21%
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- SAT Average
- 1410
- SAT Range
- 1295–1501
- ACT Range
- 28–34
- Full-Time Faculty
- 27%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $14,408
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.79
- First-Gen Students
- 19%
- Applicants
- 1,500
- Admitted
- 337
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is $46,820, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,269. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,749 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $46,820
- Out-of-State
- $46,820
- Avg Net Price
- $13,269
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 21%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $3,749
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,904
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,457
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,870
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art earn a median of $83,847, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,707
- 8 Years
- $57,789
- 10 Years
- $83,847
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.18x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (142)
- 66%
- 100% (142)
- 66%
- 100% (142)
- 66%
- 100% (142)
- 66%
How The Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,269/year ($53,076 total). Graduates earn $83,847 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $6,477,218 in total earnings — a net gain of $6,424,142 (122.0× your investment). The median debt is $15,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 81% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $53,076
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $6,477,218
- Net Return
- $6,424,142
- ROI Multiple
- 122.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,269
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 4.28%, among the highest in the country. About 8.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 51.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $110,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 4.28%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 51.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $149,587
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art produces inventors at an exceptional rate — the top 5% of U.S. colleges, with 96 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 5.96%
- Top 5% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 96
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 299
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $9,662,739
Top Programs
The fields The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Engineering 58%
- Visual & Performing Arts 30% $24,736 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
- C-Nuclear Engineer$124,280 · 1% growthResilient 72
- C-Art Director$105,180 · 5% growthAdaptable 60
- C-Robotics Engineer$105,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
- CBiomedical Engineer$100,730 · 5% growthResilient 72
- CControls Engineer$100,000 · 5% growthResilient 72
- CMechanical Engineer$99,510 · 10% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in New York, New York, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art sets a competitive bar: about 21% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,410. The graduation rate is roughly 81%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is $46,820, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,269. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,749 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
Is The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art earn a median of $83,847, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 4.28%, among the highest in the country. About 8.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 51.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $110,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.
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- Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick, ME · Strong match95% grad $82,735 earn 7% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar net price
