The Cooper Union
New York, New York
How selective is it?
The Cooper Union is in our Highly Selective tier (~15-30% acceptance). Competitive. Most admitted students are at or above the school's typical academic profile.
Acceptance rate ~21%.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use The Cooper Union in your college list
This is usually a reach or a high-end target. A strong, consistent record in the most rigorous courses available at your school helps, but admission isn't assured at typical-range numbers. Check whether your intended major is more competitive than the school overall.
Building a list across tiers? See all 18 New York colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
The Cooper Union is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Graphic Design, Mechanical Engineering, Communication Studies, Electrical Engineering, Journalism, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Chemical Engineering.
Check the current numbers yourself
For The Cooper Union's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is The Cooper Union?+
The Cooper Union sits in our "Highly Selective" tier (~15-30% acceptance). Acceptance rate ~21%.
Is The Cooper Union hard to get into?+
Competitive. Most admitted students are at or above the school's typical academic profile. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check The Cooper Union's own admissions data for the current year.
What is The Cooper Union known for?+
The Cooper Union is widely recognized for strengths in Arts, Media & Design, Engineering. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find The Cooper Union's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "The Cooper Union Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is The Cooper Union?+
The Cooper Union is a private institution in New York, New York.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with The Cooper Union. Always confirm details with the school.