The Cooper Union

10 Interesting Facts about The Cooper Union

1. Founding: The Cooper Union was founded in 1859 by industrialist Peter Cooper, who envisioned it as an institution that would provide education in the arts and sciences to working-class men and women.
2. Location: The college is located in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.
3. Full-Tuition Scholarships: Traditionally, The Cooper Union provided full-tuition scholarships to all enrolled students. However, in 2014, the college announced a shift to a partial-tuition model due to financial challenges.
4. Academic Divisions: The Cooper Union comprises three schools: the School of Art, the Albert Nerken School of Engineering, and the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture.
5. Great Hall: The Great Hall at Cooper Union is a historic lecture hall known for hosting significant speeches and events, including Abraham Lincoln’s anti-slavery speech in 1860.
6. Architecture Program: The Cooper Union’s architecture program is renowned, and the institution has produced notable architects, including Daniel Libeskind and Thom Mayne.
7. Art Collection: The college has an art collection featuring works by students, faculty, and renowned artists. The collection is housed in the Houghton Gallery.
8. Student Activism: The Cooper Union has a history of student activism, and in 2013, there were protests against the decision to introduce tuition fees.
9. Inventors and Innovators: The institution has a tradition of fostering inventors and innovators, aligning with Peter Cooper’s vision of practical education. Notable alumni include Thomas Edison.
10. Engineering Programs: The engineering programs at The Cooper Union are highly regarded, offering degrees in various engineering disciplines.

Admissions

The Cooper Union Acceptance Rate: 15%

The Cooper Union Tuition

The cost of tuition at The Cooper Union for the 2024 – 2025 academic year is $44,550. Each admitted student receives a half-tuition scholarship valued at $22,275 per year. The part-time tuition per credit is $1,310 for the 2024 – 2025 academic year.

The Cooper Union Majors

Undergraduate Degree Programs:

Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Engineering

Graduate Degree Programs:

Master of Science in Architecture
Master of Engineering

Enrollment

Full-Time Enrollment

873 Undergrads

Part-Time Undergrads

3