Organizer Information
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is a private higher-education institution in New York City, founded in 1859. Its academic structure comprises the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, School of Art, and Albert Nerken School of Engineering, supported by a shared humanities and social sciences curriculum.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate
- Degrees Offered: B.Arch., B.F.A., B.Eng., B.S., M.S. in Architecture, M.Eng.
- Academic Fields: Architecture / Fine Arts / Film & Video / Photography / Graphic Design / Engineering / Computer Science
- Relevant Programs: Bachelor of Architecture; Bachelor of Fine Arts; Bachelor of Engineering; Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; Master of Science in Architecture; Master of Engineering
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Applications for Fall 2027 are live
- Application Deadline: 1 November 2026–15 January 2027, depending on program and decision plan
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027
- Application Fee: $75
- Tuition: From $1,665 per graduate credit; undergraduate tuition is $44,550 per academic year
- Funding: All admitted undergraduate students receive a half-tuition scholarship; additional need- and merit-based aid is available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- The School of Art offers a four-year B.F.A. with study across drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, film and video, graphic design, performance, and sculpture. Students do not select a separate major within the B.F.A.
- The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture offers a five-year B.Arch. and the post-professional M.S. in Architecture. The M.S.Arch. focuses on theory, history and criticism, urban studies, and technologies.
- The Albert Nerken School of Engineering offers B.Eng. programs in chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, a B.S. in computer science, and an M.Eng.
- For the B.F.A., the School of Art requires a Hometest and portfolio. Architecture first-year applicants complete a Studio Test; a portfolio is specifically required for architecture transfer applicants.
General Eligibility
- The Cooper Union welcomes international applicants. Undergraduate admission requirements differ by school, while graduate applicants must satisfy the requirements of the specific graduate program.
- For undergraduate admission, applicants must meet the relevant secondary-school requirements. The School of Art and Architecture recommend appropriate visual-art preparation, while Engineering applicants should complete calculus, chemistry, and physics before graduation from high school.
- For the M.S. in Architecture, applicants must hold a professional B.Arch., M.Arch. I, or equivalent accredited professional architecture degree. At least one year of professional experience after the first professional architecture degree is required by the program.
- For the M.Eng., applicants from outside Cooper must hold an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree in chemical, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
- International applicants who require an F-1 visa must provide financial documentation sufficient for the first year and demonstrate financial capability for subsequent study when applying for the I-20.
Language Requirements
English is the language of instruction. Undergraduate applicants may satisfy the English-proficiency requirement through native-English status or four years of secondary education conducted primarily in English. Otherwise, an approved proficiency examination is required.
For applicants who require a test, current minimum scores are:
- IELTS: 7.0
- TOEFL iBT: 100 for tests taken before 21 January 2026; 5.0 under the revised scoring system for tests taken on or after that date
- Duolingo English Test: 130
Graduate applicants who are not U.S. citizens must submit an English test unless they earned or are earning a degree in the United States or a country where English is the official language.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Program | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate applications | $75 |
| M.S. in Architecture | $75 |
| M.Eng. applicants outside Cooper | $75 |
| Fee-waiver applicants | $0 when an approved waiver applies |
The Cooper Union participates in the Common Application fee-waiver program.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition | Billing Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | All admitted students | $44,550 | Per academic year | $1,135 student registration fee per semester; $1,005 international student fee per semester |
| M.S. in Architecture | Graduate | $28,225 | Per semester; three semesters | $1,135 student registration fee per semester |
| M.Eng. | Graduate | $1,665 | Per credit; 30 credits required | $1,135 student registration fee per semester |
All admitted undergraduate students receive a $22,275 annual half-tuition scholarship for 2026–2027.
Funding & Financial Support
- Every admitted undergraduate student receives a half-tuition scholarship currently valued at $22,275 per year. Additional need-based and merit-based aid may be available. Cooper states that it meets 100% of demonstrated and determined financial need; international students are eligible for the institutional undergraduate scholarship but not for U.S. federal or state financial aid.
- The M.S. in Architecture offers a merit scholarship valued at approximately 25% of base tuition.
University Services & Academic Support
- The International Students and Scholars Office supports international students before arrival and throughout their studies, including immigration-status guidance, I-20 processing, orientation, programs, and workshops.
- Academic resources include the Cooper Union Library, Center for Writing and Learning, research and fellowship opportunities, school-specific studios and facilities, and the Architecture Archive, which provides research access to architectural collections.
Application Requirements
- School of Art — first-year B.F.A.: Common Application; one recommendation; official high-school transcript or GED; college transcripts if applicable; English-proficiency test if applicable; $75 fee or waiver; required Hometest; and a portfolio containing 15–20 strongest recent works. SAT/ACT is optional.
- Architecture — first-year B.Arch.: Common Application; two recommendations; counselor evaluation; official transcripts; English-proficiency test if applicable; $75 fee or waiver; and the required Studio Test. SAT/ACT is optional.
- M.S. in Architecture: qualifying professional architecture degree; essay; written work; portfolio; post-secondary transcripts; three recommendations; resume; English test where applicable; and $75 fee or waiver. Potential candidates may be required to participate in a virtual interview.
- M.Eng.: qualifying engineering bachelor's degree; application and personal statement; post-secondary transcripts; two recommendations, including at least one STEM instructor for external applicants; resume; English test if applicable; and $75 fee or waiver. GRE scores are optional.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision — Engineering: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision — Architecture: 1 December 2026
- Early Decision — School of Art: 1 December 2026
- Early Decision Hometest/Studio Test release — Art & Architecture: 7 December 2026
- Early Decision Hometest/Studio Test submission — Art & Architecture: 5 January 2027
- Regular Decision — Undergraduate: 5 January 2027
- Regular Decision Hometest/Studio Test release — Art & Architecture: 12 January 2027
- Regular Decision Hometest/Studio Test submission — Art & Architecture: 9 February 2027
- M.S. in Architecture application deadline: 5 January 2027
- M.Eng. application deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision notification — Art & Architecture: 1 February 2027
- Graduate decision notification — M.S. Architecture and M.Eng.: 15 March 2027
- Regular Decision notification — Art & Undergraduate: 1 April 2027
Location
The Cooper Union — New York City, United States.
Additional Details
The Cooper Union's undergraduate standardized-testing policy is school-specific: SAT/ACT is optional for Architecture and Art but required for Engineering, subject to the institution's waiver process. Graduate programs do not require GRE submission.
International applicants must complete additional immigration and financial documentation procedures after admission. The M.S. in Architecture is designated as a STEM program, which may allow eligible international graduates to pursue an extended F-1 STEM OPT period.