Engineering at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Cooper Union's engineering program carries an interesting wrinkle: the school famously offered full-tuition scholarships until 2014, but now charges tuition while maintaining its elite reputation. Based on comparable engineering programs nationally, graduates might expect around $68,000 in first-year earnings—solid for any engineering degree, though not exceptional given the school's selectivity (19% admission rate, 1480 average SAT). The estimated $26,500 in debt sits right at the national median for engineering programs, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39.

What's worth noting is how this compares to other New York engineering schools. The state median for engineering earnings is just $52,000—significantly below what Cooper Union graduates would likely earn based on peer institutions. Even top SUNY programs like Stony Brook report mid-$50,000 outcomes. This suggests Cooper Union's network and reputation still deliver value beyond what typical New York engineering programs achieve, potentially justifying its steeper cost structure compared to public alternatives.

The financial picture appears workable: debt roughly equivalent to five months of earnings, with career prospects that should make repayment straightforward. For families who can manage the remaining costs beyond aid, the program likely provides strong returns. Just remember these figures are estimates—actual outcomes for Cooper Union's small engineering cohorts remain unreported.