Overview
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a selective private four-year institution in New York, New York. The school accepts 22.5% of applicants and enrolls 891 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 22.5%
- Average SAT
- 1,460
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,390–1,530
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 33
- Total Enrollment
- 891
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
Cooper Union admits students based on artistic or technical merit above all else, making your portfolio or problem-solving abilities far more important than your transcript. The school operates three distinct colleges under one roof,Art, Architecture, and Engineering,each with completely different application requirements and evaluation criteria.
Your application goes directly to one specific school, and you cannot apply to multiple programs simultaneously. Art applicants submit a home test that changes annually, requiring original creative work completed over several weeks. Architecture candidates complete both artistic and technical components, including spatial reasoning exercises. Engineering applicants face additional math and science coursework expectations beyond typical requirements.
The Foundation Building's Great Hall hosts weekly public lectures that have featured everyone from Abraham Lincoln to contemporary innovators, creating an intellectual atmosphere where serious discourse happens regularly. This tradition reflects the school's commitment to free education and public engagement that dates back to 1859.
Don't assume Cooper Union functions like other small technical colleges. The school maintains its tuition-free model through an enormous endowment and expects students to contribute to its mission of providing education "as free as air and water." Your essays should address how you would use your education to benefit society, not just advance your career.
Architecture students work in studio spaces until late hours, while engineering students collaborate on projects that often intersect with art installations. The building itself becomes part of your education, with its new design serving as both laboratory and inspiration.
Many applicants underestimate the time required for Cooper Union's supplemental requirements. The home test for art can take weeks to complete thoughtfully, while engineering applicants must demonstrate genuine passion for their chosen discipline through specific coursework and activities. Your application needs to prove you understand exactly which program you're entering and why that particular field drives your interests.
The school's location in Manhattan's East Village puts you at the center of New York's creative and technical communities, but Cooper Union students are known for spending most of their time in the building's studios and labs rather than exploring the city.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $16,478/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $46,820
- Students Receiving Aid
- 28%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 80.3%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $83,847/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 91.3%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art require SAT or ACT scores?
The Cooper Union requires either SAT or ACT scores for admission. Test scores are a required component of the application process.
Does The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offer early decision or early action?
The Cooper Union offers early decision with a December 1 deadline. Regular decision applications are due January 1.
Can you transfer to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art?
The Cooper Union accepts transfer students for fall admission only. Transfer applicants must submit college transcripts and meet the same portfolio or home test requirements as first-year students.
What makes The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art application different from other schools?
The Cooper Union requires program-specific requirements beyond standard application materials. Art applicants must submit a portfolio, while engineering and architecture students take a home test that includes creative problem-solving components.