Georgia Tech vs Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. Georgia Tech, a public research university, boasts a sprawling campus in Atlanta, Georgia, while Cooper Union, a private institution, resides in the heart of New York City. With acceptance rates of 20% and 10%, respectively, both universities are highly selective, attracting top students from across the nation. While Georgia Tech's student body is predominantly male (62%), Cooper Union's gender distribution is more balanced (53% female). Dive into the comparison table to explore further differences in popular majors, graduation rates, and other key factors that will help you determine the best fit for your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Overview
Location	New York, New York	Atlanta, Georgia
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	14.7%	16.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	1310 - 1500
ACT range	N/A	30 - 34
Students submitting SAT score		53.0%
Students submitting ACT score		36.0%
Total number of applicants	2,678	44,048
Total number of admissions given out	393	7,030
Admitted students who chose to enroll	210	3,453
Yield rate	53.4%	49.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$67,146	In state: $32,698 Out of state: $53,810
Average net price	$20,757	$17,360
Tuition	$44,550	In state: $10,258 Out of state: $31,370
Room & board		Room/dormitory: $6,918 Meal plan: $5,328
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $38,212	70.0% Average amount $14,015
Students receiving federal student loan	20.0% Average amount $4,814	22.0% Average amount $4,919
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $24,000	5.0% Average amount $13,058

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	876 Men 53.2% Women 46.8%	17,461 Men 60.2% Women 39.8%
Graduate students	60 Men 80.0% Women 20.0%	26,398 Men 74.0% Women 26.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	36.5%	40.2%
International students	14.6%	26.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	170	8,667
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey California Florida Texas	Georgia Florida New Jersey North Carolina New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Visual & Performing Arts Architecture	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Architecture
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.4%	91.9%
Dropout rate	11.8%	2.2%
Transferred out	N/A	4.7%
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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,073 Year 2: $127,034 Year 3: $137,753 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $121,610 Year 2: $111,196 Year 3: $137,409 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,428 Year 2: $91,152 Year 3: $110,089 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,509 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $108,748 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $94,709 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $106,452 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,098 Year 2: $90,983 Year 3: $100,683 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,067 Year 2: $83,270 Year 3: $97,066 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,001 Year 2: $85,834 Year 3: $91,491 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,050 Year 2: $73,992 Year 3: $87,541 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,354 Year 2: $76,283 Year 3: $86,996

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary areas of focus at Georgia Tech and Cooper Union?

Georgia Tech excels in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, offering a wide range of programs from aerospace engineering to computer science. Cooper Union, on the other hand, focuses on architecture, art, and engineering, providing a more specialized and intimate educational experience in these disciplines.
How do the campus environments differ between Georgia Tech and Cooper Union?

Georgia Tech has a large, vibrant campus in the heart of Atlanta, offering a traditional college experience with numerous student organizations, athletic events, and research opportunities. Cooper Union is located in the East Village of New York City, providing a more urban and artistic environment with close proximity to cultural institutions and professional opportunities in the city.
What is the typical class size and student-to-faculty ratio at each institution?

Georgia Tech has larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses, with a student-to-faculty ratio of around 20:1. Cooper Union boasts a much smaller student body and a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 8:1, allowing for more personalized attention and interaction with professors.
How do the admissions processes compare between Georgia Tech and Cooper Union?

Georgia Tech's admissions are highly competitive, emphasizing strong academic performance in STEM-related subjects, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may apply), and extracurricular involvement. Cooper Union's admissions process is also highly selective, but it places a greater emphasis on portfolio reviews for art and architecture applicants and project-based assessments for engineering applicants, alongside academic records.
What types of financial aid and tuition policies are offered at Georgia Tech and Cooper Union?

Georgia Tech offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Cooper Union historically offered full-tuition scholarships to all admitted students, but now provides significant tuition scholarships to all students, supplemented by other forms of financial aid based on need. Both institutions encourage students to explore all available financial aid resources.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of Georgia Tech and Cooper Union?

Georgia Tech graduates are highly sought after in various STEM industries, with strong placement rates in technology companies, engineering firms, and research institutions. Cooper Union graduates find success in architecture firms, art studios, design agencies, and engineering companies, often benefiting from the institution's strong alumni network and location in New York City.
How do the research opportunities differ between Georgia Tech and Cooper Union?

Georgia Tech is a major research university with extensive research facilities and funding across a wide range of STEM fields, offering numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research. Cooper Union, while smaller, provides research opportunities primarily within its architecture, art, and engineering programs, often focusing on interdisciplinary projects and collaborations with industry partners.
What is the overall cost of attendance at Georgia Tech versus Cooper Union?

The overall cost of attendance at Georgia Tech, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally lower for in-state students compared to Cooper Union. However, for out-of-state students, the cost can be comparable, especially when considering Cooper Union's significant tuition scholarships. It's essential to review the most up-to-date cost information and financial aid packages for both institutions.
How do the academic cultures compare at Georgia Tech and Cooper Union?

Georgia Tech has a rigorous and competitive academic culture focused on technical excellence and innovation. Cooper Union fosters a more collaborative and creative academic environment, emphasizing critical thinking, artistic expression, and hands-on learning.
What are some notable alumni from Georgia Tech and Cooper Union?

Georgia Tech boasts notable alumni such as Jimmy Carter (former U.S. President), Bobby Jones (golf legend), and numerous CEOs and entrepreneurs in the technology and engineering sectors. Cooper Union's distinguished alumni include architects Daniel Libeskind and Shigeru Ban, artists Eva Hesse and Milton Glaser, and inventor/engineer Alfred Sommer.

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