Through outstanding academic programs in architecture, art and engineering, and a Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cooper Union prepares talented students to make enlightened contributions to society. In addition, all undergraduates are admitted solely on merit and awarded a half-tuition scholarship.
The Cooper Union
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, established in 1859, is among the nation's oldest and most distinguished institutions of higher learning. Founded by industrialist, inventor and philanthropist, Peter Cooper, Cooper Union houses schools of architecture, art and engineering, as well as a world-class Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Each school offers specialized programs and undergraduate degrees. The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture offers a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree; the School of Art offers a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree; and the Albert Nerken School of Engineering offers four-year Bachelor of Engineering degrees in Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering as well as a four-year Bachelor of Science in General Engineering degree. In addition, the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture and the Albert Nerken School of Engineering offer post-graduate advanced degrees.
Every admitted student receives a half-tuition scholarship valued at $21,625 per school year, which is renewable for the length of the academic program. Applicants are also automatically considered for additional merit scholarships. In order to be considered for need-based aid, eligible students must file the FAFSA. On average, families will pay approximately $10,000 in tuition each academic year, though about 40% of our students receive a full-tuition scholarship. During the 2015-2016 application cycle, 96% of students who applied for need-based aid were awarded additional financial assistance. To learn more about Financial Aid, visit our website.
Besides the traditional undergraduate and post-graduate academic programs offered by its member schools, The Cooper Union hosts a number of research institutes including the Institute for Sustainable Design and the C. V. Starr Research Foundation. Cooper Union also offers a broad range of continuing education, professional certification, and pre-college programs.