Swarthmore vs Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Swarthmore College and Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Swarthmore, a liberal arts college, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 10%, while Cooper Union, known for its focus on art, architecture, and engineering, has a slightly higher acceptance rate of 14%. Both institutions foster diverse student bodies, with Swarthmore's undergraduate population comprising 48% female and 52% male students, and Cooper Union's student body consisting of 43% female and 57% male students. While Swarthmore excels in the social sciences and humanities, Cooper Union is renowned for its programs in art, architecture, and engineering. With graduation rates of 93% and 88% respectively, both colleges ensure that their students are well-prepared for successful careers. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these exceptional institutions and make an
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![]() Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art |
![]() Swarthmore College |
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Overview |
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Location | New York, New York | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: 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 |
Students retention rate | 91.0% | 95.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 14.7% | 7.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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$60 |
SAT range | N/A | 1430 - 1560 |
ACT range | N/A | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 39.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,678 | 13,012 |
Total number of admissions given out | 393 | 1,013 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 210 | 454 |
Yield rate | 53.4% | 44.8% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $67,146 | $75,793 |
Average net price | $20,757 | $19,733 |
Tuition | $44,550 | $55,856 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,796
Meal plan:
$8,354
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $38,212 |
76.0%
Average amount $40,072 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
20.0%
Average amount $4,814 |
6.0%
Average amount $5,191 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $24,000 |
1.0%
Average amount $30,543 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
876
Men 53.2% Women 46.8% |
1,651
Men 49.7% Women 50.3% |
Graduate students |
60
Men 80.0% Women 20.0% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 36.5% | 89.9% |
International students | 14.6% | 15.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 170 | 1,605 |
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 | New York California Pennsylvania New Jersey Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 9:1 | 8:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 83.4% | 94.1% |
Dropout rate | 11.8% | 5.7% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Astronomy and Astrophysics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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