Stanford vs Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Stanford University and Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Stanford, a prestigious private research university, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 4.7%, while Cooper Union, a private college known for its focus on art, architecture, and engineering, has a more accessible acceptance rate of 20.6%. Stanford's diverse student body comprises 7,046 undergraduate and 10,253 graduate students, while Cooper Union's student population is smaller, with approximately 1,000 undergraduate and 1,100 graduate students. Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, with Stanford excelling in fields like computer science, engineering, and business, and Cooper Union specializing in art, architecture, and engineering. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we present a comprehensive comparison of these two institutions, delving into their acceptance

	Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art	Stanford University
Overview
Location	New York, New York	Stanford, California
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	98.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	14.7%	3.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $90 Graduate: $125
SAT range	N/A	1470 - 1570
ACT range	N/A	34 - 35
Students submitting SAT score		15.0%
Students submitting ACT score		11.0%
Total number of applicants	2,678	55,471
Total number of admissions given out	393	2,190
Admitted students who chose to enroll	210	1,757
Yield rate	53.4%	80.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$67,146	$78,898
Average net price	$20,757	$14,402
Tuition	$44,550	$55,473
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $11,166 Meal plan: $6,694
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $38,212	61.0% Average amount $56,211
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $4,814	5.0% Average amount $5,151
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $24,000	1.0% Average amount $17,186

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	876 Men 53.2% Women 46.8%	7,645 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%
Graduate students	60 Men 80.0% Women 20.0%	10,035 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	36.5%	58.5%
International students	14.6%	24.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	170	14,621
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey California Florida Texas	California Texas Washington New York Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Visual & Performing Arts Architecture	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	5:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.4%	95.5%
Dropout rate	11.8%	1.7%
Transferred out	N/A	0.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $20,818 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $19,405 Astronomy and Astrophysics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,379 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: N/A	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $151,574 Year 2: $170,457 Year 3: $210,837 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,729 Year 2: $168,942 Year 3: $203,193 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $164,734 Year 2: $163,337 Year 3: $187,054 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $137,457 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $173,548 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $136,126 Year 2: $136,499 Year 3: $165,375 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $128,556 Year 2: $135,709 Year 3: $157,500 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $123,354 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $139,234 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,326 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,185 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,457 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $107,477 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,475 Year 2: $85,391 Year 3: $104,592

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary academic focuses of Stanford University and Cooper Union?

Stanford University is a large, comprehensive research university with a wide array of academic programs, excelling in fields like engineering, computer science, business, law, and the humanities. Cooper Union, on the other hand, is a smaller, specialized institution with a strong emphasis on architecture, art, and engineering. It is particularly renowned for its programs in these areas.
How does the size and campus environment differ between Stanford and Cooper Union?

Stanford boasts a vast campus in a suburban setting, offering a traditional college experience with numerous student organizations, sports teams, and a vibrant social scene. Cooper Union, located in the heart of New York City, provides a more urban and intimate environment. Its smaller size fosters a close-knit community and a focus on individual attention.
What are the tuition costs and financial aid opportunities at Stanford and Cooper Union?

Stanford's tuition is comparable to other top-tier private universities. However, Stanford offers substantial financial aid, including need-based grants, to make attendance accessible. Cooper Union historically offered full-tuition scholarships to all admitted students, but now offers significant tuition remission. Financial aid packages at both institutions are designed to help students manage the cost of attendance.
How do the admissions processes at Stanford and Cooper Union compare?

Both universities are highly selective. Stanford's admissions process considers a holistic review of applicants, evaluating academic achievements, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Cooper Union's admissions process also emphasizes academic excellence, but places a strong emphasis on portfolios for art and architecture applicants, and may include interviews and design challenges for engineering applicants.
What career opportunities are available to graduates of Stanford and Cooper Union?

Stanford graduates have access to a wide range of career opportunities across various industries, particularly in technology, business, and research. The university's strong industry connections and alumni network provide excellent career prospects. Cooper Union graduates are highly sought after in their respective fields, with strong placement rates in architecture, art, and engineering firms, as well as opportunities in academia and research.
What is the research focus at Stanford and Cooper Union?

Stanford is a major research institution with extensive research opportunities across all disciplines, including cutting-edge work in areas like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate science. Cooper Union, while smaller, also fosters research, particularly in its specialized fields. Students have opportunities to engage in research projects with faculty, especially in architecture, art, and engineering.
How do the student-faculty ratios compare at Stanford and Cooper Union?

Cooper Union generally has a much lower student-faculty ratio than Stanford. This allows for more personalized attention from professors and a more intimate learning environment. Stanford, while still maintaining a good student-faculty ratio, has a larger student body, which can result in larger class sizes, particularly in introductory courses.
What are the cultural and social experiences like at Stanford and Cooper Union?

Stanford offers a traditional college experience with a strong emphasis on campus life, including a wide range of extracurricular activities, sports, and social events. The university's location in California provides access to outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene. Cooper Union, located in New York City, provides a unique cultural experience, with access to world-class museums, galleries, and performance venues. The social scene is more focused on the city's offerings and the close-knit community within the school.
Which university is better for a student interested in a specific field?

If a student is specifically interested in architecture, art, or engineering, Cooper Union is an excellent choice due to its specialized programs and strong reputation in these fields. For students interested in a broader range of fields, including business, law, and the humanities, Stanford offers a wider array of academic options and resources.
How does the alumni network differ between Stanford and Cooper Union?

Stanford has a vast and influential alumni network that spans across various industries and geographic locations, providing extensive networking opportunities. Cooper Union's alumni network, while smaller, is highly connected and supportive, particularly within the fields of architecture, art, and engineering. The close-knit nature of the Cooper Union community often fosters strong alumni connections.

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Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

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