The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

    New York, NY · Private non-profit · Liberal arts / baccalaureate college

    SAT middle 50% (admitted students)
    1300–1500
    Median ~1400
    Acceptance rate
    21%
    Enrollment
    842
    ACT middle 50%
    28–34

    Current admissions guidance for The Cooper Union

    Cooper Union is a highly selective private college in New York City with schools of Architecture, Art, and Engineering. The federal Scorecard snapshot reports a roughly 1300–1500 SAT middle-50% range, but requirements vary by school.

    SAT/ACT policy

    Cooper Union applicants must follow the requirements for their chosen school. Art and Architecture place substantial weight on required creative submissions, while Engineering applicants should verify the current cycle's standardized-testing instructions.

    Application deadlines

    Application and supplemental deadlines vary among Architecture, Art, and Engineering. Applicants should use Cooper Union's current first-year checklist for the selected school rather than one university-wide date.

    How to use your SAT score

    • Check the chosen school's current testing rule before deciding whether to submit an SAT or ACT.
    • Engineering applicants can use the reported score range as peer context, not an automatic cutoff.
    • Art and Architecture applicants should protect time for the required portfolio, home test, or studio submission.

    Admissions details checked July 17, 2026. Verify policies before applying: Cooper Union undergraduate application · Cooper Union admissions deadlines.

    How The Cooper Union compares

    • The ~1400 SAT midpoint ranks #35 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #2 of 26 in NY.
    • Its 21% acceptance rate is more selective than 87% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
    • Median earnings 10 years after entry ($83,847) are $20,781 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
    National SAT rank
    #35 of 197
    SAT rank in NY
    #2 of 26
    More selective than
    87% of ranked colleges
    Earnings vs national median
    +$20,781

    What the numbers say about The Cooper Union

    • The reported middle 50% spans 200 points, from 1300 to 1500. A planning score near or above 1540 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
    • The Scorecard snapshot reports a 21% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
    • Reported outcomes include a 81% completion rate and $83,847 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
    Understand a 1400 SAT scorePlan for a 1550Verify current admissions policy

    Tuition and outcomes

    Tuition (in-state)
    $46,820
    Tuition (out-of-state)
    $46,820
    Median earnings 10 years after entry
    $83,847
    4-year completion rate (150% time)
    81%

    Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

    How your SAT score lines up

    The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1300 and 1500. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

    • 1540 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1500 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1400 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
    • 1300 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.
    At or above 1500

    Strong relative score

    At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

    1300–1490

    Within the reported range

    Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

    Below 1300

    Below the reported range

    Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

    Compare to other colleges →

    Colleges with similar SAT scores

    Ranked by proximity to The Cooper Union's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

    Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

    CollegeLocationSAT middle 50%Acceptance rate
    The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX1250–151027%
    University of GeorgiaAthens, GA1270–148038%
    Bryn Mawr CollegeBryn Mawr, PA1280–151029%
    Union CollegeSchenectady, NY1310–148044%
    Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH1310–148061%
    Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA1310–147029%

    FAQs

    What SAT score do I need for The Cooper Union?

    The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1300–1500, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1540 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

    What is The Cooper Union's acceptance rate?

    The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 21%.

    How much does it cost to attend The Cooper Union?

    Published tuition is approximately $46,820 per year (excludes room, board, fees).

    Is The Cooper Union test-optional?

    Cooper Union applicants must follow the requirements for their chosen school. Art and Architecture place substantial weight on required creative submissions, while Engineering applicants should verify the current cycle's standardized-testing instructions.

    When are The Cooper Union's application deadlines?

    Application and supplemental deadlines vary among Architecture, Art, and Engineering. Applicants should use Cooper Union's current first-year checklist for the selected school rather than one university-wide date.

    Official site: www.cooper.edu