The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art at a Glance
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly known as Cooper Union, is a private college on Cooper Square in Manhattan, New York City. Peter Cooper founded the institution in 1859 after learning about the government-supported École Polytechnique in France.
1859
167 years old
$920M
$920 million (2021)
800
834 undergrad
57
Prestige & value signals
Identity
How to Apply to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Official admissions pageDecember 1 (Early Decision)
$75
Fee waiver available
2 required
Recommendation letters
Fee waiver
Is The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Worth It?
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $13,269/year net price and $83,847 median earnings, graduates earn 6.3× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Admission is competitive with a 21% acceptance rate, so applicants should have strong academic credentials.
Median student debt of $15,000 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 5 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | 100 | $13,269 | $83,847 |
| #2 | Riverside College of Health Sciences | 80 | $20,744 | $66,072 |
| #3 | Pitzer College | 42 | $34,191 | $69,512 |
| #4 | Reed College | 35 | $33,013 | $62,927 |
| #5 | Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology | 16 | $39,986 | $64,973 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NY.
Best Programs at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
The highest-earning program at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is Fine and Studio Arts at $21,600/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Fine and Studio Arts graduate from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art earns $21,600, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $21,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Fine and Studio Arts graduates carry $20,500 in median debt vs. $20,500 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,269/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,600 | $21,600 | $20,500 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- New York, NY
- Student Body
- 842 students
- Admission Rate
- 21%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,269
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $83,847
- Median Student Debt
- $15,000