California College of the Arts vs Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
California College of the Arts (CCA) and Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art are two prestigious institutions offering unique educational experiences in the arts. CCA, located in the vibrant city of San Francisco, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies. In contrast, Cooper Union, situated in the heart of New York City, emphasizes a rigorous fine arts curriculum and a commitment to social justice. With acceptance rates of 58% and 10%, respectively, both institutions are highly selective, attracting talented students from around the world. While CCA offers a wider range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Cooper Union primarily focuses on undergraduate education. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these esteemed art schools, including popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and career goals.
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![]() California College of the Arts |
![]() Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art |
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Overview |
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Location | San Francisco, California | New York, New York |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 82.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 77.6% | 14.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 2,847 | 2,678 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,210 | 393 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 209 | 210 |
Yield rate | 9.5% | 53.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $73,634 | $67,146 |
Average net price | $40,231 | $20,757 |
Tuition | $51,792 | $44,550 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$13,467
Meal plan:
$5,650
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
84.0%
Average amount $28,928 |
100.0%
Average amount $38,212 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
23.0%
Average amount $5,627 |
20.0%
Average amount $4,814 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,943 |
1.0%
Average amount $24,000 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,249
Men 36.3% Women 63.7% |
876
Men 53.2% Women 46.8% |
Graduate students |
381
Men 29.9% Women 70.1% |
60
Men 80.0% Women 20.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 36.5% |
International students | 40.3% | 14.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 761 | 170 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | New York New Jersey California Florida Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 65.4% | 83.4% |
Dropout rate | 34.2% | 11.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management (Master's Degrees)
Architecture (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architecture (Master's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Master's Degrees)
Graphic Communications (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
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Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Astronomy and Astrophysics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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