Cooper Union combines highly selective admission (19.1%) with exceptional post-graduation earning potential, ranking in the 95.0th percentile nationally for median earnings while maintaining remarkably low debt levels at $15,000—$10,000 below peer institutions.
With well above average performance, driven by exceptional long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With well above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and low debt levels
With above average performance, indicating moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students despite selectivity
With above average performance, combining access with earnings outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop 5% nationally for graduate earnings
The Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art ranks #330 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with composite performance at the 79.8th percentile. Located in New York, New York, this small private nonprofit institution maintains highly selective admission standards with a 19.1% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
Cooper Union enrolls 27.9% Pell-eligible students and 18.6% first-generation students, positioning it above average on access measures despite its selectivity. Graduates earn $8,309 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 82.3rd percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $83,847 ten years after enrollment, placing Cooper Union in the 95.0th percentile for long-term earnings. Compared to a peer median of $50,412, graduates earn $33,435 more annually—a substantial premium that reflects the institution's technical focus and New York location.
Cooper Union demonstrates exceptional return on investment through a combination of top-tier earnings and controlled costs. Graduates earn a median of $83,847 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 95.0th percentile nationally and representing earnings well above expectations for the student population served.
The institution generates $8,309 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 82.3rd percentile nationally on this measure. Median student debt remains remarkably low at $15,000, substantially below the peer median of $25,000, resulting in a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18.
Students seeking a rigorous technical education in engineering, architecture, or art with exceptional long-term earning potential. Best suited for academically gifted students who value prestige and are willing to navigate highly competitive admission (19.1% acceptance rate) for access to strong alumni networks and career outcomes in New York City.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the The Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/the-cooper-union-for-the-advancement-of-science-and-art/analysis.
Cooper Union admits approximately 19.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 5 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Cooper Union among highly selective institutions nationally, with significantly more competitive admission than typical four-year colleges.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the stark difference between Cooper Union's selectivity and most other institutions. Even among specialized technical schools, Cooper Union's acceptance rate falls at the more competitive end of the spectrum.
This level of selectivity means that academically qualified students still face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process, though the odds are more favorable than at the most elite national universities. Students should expect a thorough evaluation of their academic credentials, with particular emphasis on preparation in mathematics and technical subjects given the institution's specialized focus.
For prospective students, this selectivity level suggests building comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but similar technical program quality. Treating Cooper Union as a competitive target school represents sound application strategy given the 19.1% admission rate.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Cooper Union's published cost of attendance is $67,088 per year—that's $46,820 in tuition, $18,650 for room and board, and $1,800 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $16,478 after financial aid, representing substantial savings of $50,610 annually.
This dramatic reduction from sticker price reflects Cooper Union's historically generous financial aid approach and commitment to accessible technical education. The average net price of $16,478 compares favorably to the peer median of $21,812, saving students $5,334 annually compared to similar institutions.
Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $8,188 for families earning under $30,000 to $31,201 for families earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure ensures that lower-income families receive the most substantial aid packages.
The institution's ability to reduce costs from $67,088 to an average of $16,478 demonstrates exceptional financial aid resources and institutional commitment to affordability, particularly important given the specialized nature of Cooper Union's technical programs and their associated career benefits.
Cooper Union graduates demonstrate substantial earnings growth over time, with outcomes that significantly exceed national averages. Median earnings rise from $39,707 six years after enrollment to $57,789 at eight years and $83,847 at ten years, representing remarkable 111.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 90 graduates, providing solid confidence in the reported figures despite the institution's small size. Graduates earn $8,309 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Cooper Union in the 82.3rd percentile for earnings uplift.
The earnings trajectory shows consistent acceleration, indicating graduates benefit from strong career progression as they advance professionally. Approximately 30% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting the institution's role as preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education.
Compared to peer institutions with a median of $50,412, Cooper Union graduates earn $33,435 more annually, highlighting the significant earnings premium associated with the institution's specialized technical programs.
Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
61 graduates
Cooper Union offers 1 bachelor's degree program with federal earnings data for ranking. Art History, Criticism and Conservation represents the sole program with available data, ranking #91 nationally and #11 in New York state.
This program produces 61 graduates with median earnings of $22,205 and a value score of 60.4, indicating strong performance relative to typical outcomes in the field. As the flagship program with available data, Art History represents 100% of tracked graduates at the institution.
While this represents only one of Cooper Union's actual program offerings, it demonstrates the institution's ability to deliver above-average outcomes even in traditionally lower-earning fields. The program's ranking in the top third nationally for Art History reflects the quality and rigor of Cooper Union's academic approach across disciplines.
Consider these schools with similar outcomes but higher acceptance rates:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
New Jersey Institute Of Technology Higher acceptance rate (47.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 10 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NJ | 67% | $84,276 | Compare |
Manhattan College Higher acceptance rate (59.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 12 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 78% | $86,316 | Compare |
United States Merchant Marine Academy Higher acceptance rate (13.4 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 13 miles away; similar graduate earnings | NY | 32% | $90,610 | Compare |
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Higher acceptance rate (75.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MA | 95% | $82,392 | Compare |
Wentworth Institute Of Technology Higher acceptance rate (66.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | MA | 85% | $82,721 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Haverford College Similar quality tier in Northeast (#308 ranked) | PA | 13% | $79,966 | #308 | Compare |
Fresno Pacific University Similar quality tier (#339 ranked) | CA | 58% | $58,896 | #339 | Compare |
College Of The Ozarks Similar quality tier (#347 ranked) | MO | 15% | $41,592 | #347 | Compare |
Wabash College Similar quality tier (#372 ranked) | IN | 63% | $69,952 | #372 | Compare |
Carleton College Similar quality tier (#373 ranked) | MN | 22% | $75,525 | #373 | Compare |
