Fine and Studio Arts at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Cooper Union's prestigious reputation masks deeply troubling earnings outcomes for fine arts graduates. Despite an elite 19% admission rate and 1480 average SAT scores, students earn just $16,678 one year after graduation—landing in the 5th percentile nationally and 10th percentile among New York fine arts programs. That's $7,500 below the state median and roughly one-third what Columbia and Barnard fine arts graduates earn in the same city.

The debt picture provides little comfort. While $16,805 is lower than typical fine arts programs, it nearly equals first-year earnings. More concerning: even after four years, median earnings reach only $22,205, still trailing the typical fine arts graduate's starting salary. Among 79 New York fine arts programs, this ranks near the bottom despite Cooper Union's academic selectivity.

The 33% earnings growth does suggest some upward trajectory, but from an exceptionally low baseline. For context, an entry-level barista in Manhattan typically earns more than these graduates four years into their careers. Parents should ask hard questions about whether Cooper Union's fine arts prestige translates into actual career outcomes, or if they're paying for a brand name that doesn't deliver financial returns. The combination of elite admission standards and bottom-decile earnings represents a fundamental mismatch between institutional reputation and graduate outcomes.