Overview
New York, NY 
View all photos
From Cooper Union
The Cooper Union was founded in 1859 in the East Village of Manhattan by inventor, industrialist, and social reformer, Peter Cooper. The Cooper Union is a top-ranked, all-honors college committed to making education fair and accessible to all. Every admitted undergraduate student is granted a half-tuition scholarship as well as need-based aid.
Comprised of three schools specializing in architecture, art, and engineering, The Cooper Union offers small, intimate classes organized around a culture of collaboration led by a faculty of teachers who are also leading practitioners in their fields. Throughout its history, Cooper has been a place where thinkers, builders, artists, activists, and dreamers have thrived and contributed to New York City and the world in large and small ways—being of this world and for this world.
Events & Resources
Visit our Campus
Please register for a tour using the scheduling calendar and/or take a virtual tour: https://www.youvisit.com/tour/cooperunion/
Join us for an Event
Please join us for a virtual info session using the scheduling calendar.
Cooper in 60 Seconds
Hear about Cooper from the student's perspective.
Why Cooper
Please visit the admissions homepage to learn more about our programs, offerings, and our community.
Technical College
City
Need Blind
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Affordability Overview
From Cooper Union
Honoring Peter Cooper’s belief that education should be accessible to all, our mission is to ensure that no student is deterred from attending The Cooper Union based on their financial circumstances.
We meet 100% of demonstrated and determined financial need.
Every admitted undergraduate student receives a half-tuition scholarship valued at $22,275 per year, as well as need-based aid.
For the sixth consecutive year, we are not raising undergraduate tuition.
2022 – 2023 academic year average aid for undergraduate students includes:
-100% tuition costs covered by scholarship or grant aid for 45% of students
-81% being the average scholarship amount or grant aid received
-100% of students receiving a minimum of 50% scholarship or grant aid
Scholarships at Cooper
From Cooper Union
The Cooper Union was founded on the principle of providing access to higher education regardless of race, creed, gender, or financial means. Tuition assistance has been integral to the make-up of the institution since it began over 150 years ago. The Cooper Union’s office of financial aid helps students and their families understand the financial requirements of a Cooper Union education and explore options and funding to meet educational expenses. We assist with all aspects of the financial aid application process and help individuals and families financially plan their academic careers at the institution.
At The Cooper Union, every admitted undergraduate student receives a half-tuition scholarship currently valued at $22,275 per academic year.
$69,122
$54,542
$14,580
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$69,122for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Cooper Union is $69,122. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Cooper Union would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is 002710.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at Cooper Union
If you are a New York State resident considering Cooper Union, be sure to investigate the TAP program. If you are attending a qualifying program and meet financial need requirements, you may receive thousands of dollars per year to put towards your education. Additionally, if you apply to a CUNY or SUNY school, you could be eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship, which would make your education tuition-free.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more New York scholarships
Pell Grants at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
26% of students at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Cooper Union students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Cooper Union or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://cooper.edu/students/financial-aid
- Email: [email protected]
Admissions
Admissions Overview
From Cooper Union
UNDERGRADUATE
Application Deadlines
Early Decision
-Albert Nerken School of Engineering: November 1
-Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture: December 1
-School of Art: December 1
Regular Decision
-All three schools: January 5
GRADUATE
-Master of Science in Architecture: January 5
-Master of Engineering: January 15
The Cooper Union uses the Common App for first-year undergraduate applicants. All transfer and graduate applicants apply through the Cooper Application.
22%
Is Cooper Union test-optional?
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Cooper Union?
Students must apply by January 5 to enroll at Cooper Union during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Is The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art need-blind?
Yes, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
9:1
Graduation Rate
83%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Engineering
53%
53% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
36%
36% of graduates
Architecture
11%
11% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
892
Pell Grant 28%
Undergrad Students Over 25 2%
Percent Male / Female 49% / 51%
Ethnic Diversity at Cooper Union
31% Asian / Pacific Islander
28% White
13% International / Non-Citizen
12% Hispanic
5% Black
5% Unknown
5% Multiracial
Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes Overview
From Cooper Union
The Center for Career Development at Cooper Union empowers students to pursue their personal, educational, and professional goals beyond the academic curriculum. Our mission is to cultivate students’ self-direction through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and programs tailored to each academic school. We support students in developing a holistic understanding of their relationship to work, and empower them with the skills to navigate the ever-changing world of work and pursue their dreams.
Graduate Income
$83,847
Median Debt $15,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $159
Graduation Rate 83%
What is the graduation rate at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art?
83% of students who start at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 25% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $83,847. This is $33,456 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Cooper Union take out in loans?
Graduates of Cooper Union have to take out a median of $15,000 in federal student loans. This is $1,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
Join for exclusive scholarships, personalized matching, and application tracking. 0% Spam, 100% Free.
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
