Cooper Union vs UC Berkeley
How Cooper Union and UC Berkeley stack up on the numbers that decide where you apply: selectivity, cost after aid, testing, and essays.
| Cooper Union | UC Berkeley | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 11% | 11.6% |
| SAT (middle 50%) | 1280-1530 | Not reported |
| Testing policy | Test-optional | Test-blind |
| Type | Private | Public |
| Location | NY | CA |
| Sticker price (per year) | $69,986 | $38,000 |
| Average cost after aid | $13,269 | $17,000 |
| Supplemental essays | 3 | 4 |
- Cooper Union is harder to get into than UC Berkeley (11% versus 11.6%), so treat it as the bigger reach.
- After aid, Cooper Union is usually the cheaper option ($13,269 versus $17,000 per year on average).
- On testing, Cooper Union is test-optional while UC Berkeley is test-blind.
- UC Berkeley asks for more supplemental writing (4 essays versus 3), so budget more time for its application.
- Run the free chances calculator to see your real odds at both, then get a free read on each school's essays.
Cooper Union vs UC Berkeley FAQ
Is Cooper Union or UC Berkeley harder to get into?
Cooper Union is harder to get into, admitting about 11% of applicants versus 11.6% at UC Berkeley.
Is Cooper Union or UC Berkeley cheaper?
After financial aid, Cooper Union is usually cheaper, about $13,269 per year on average versus $17,000 at UC Berkeley.
See your real chances at Cooper Union and UC Berkeley.
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