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Diversity and Inclusion

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The Cooper Union was founded on the fundamental belief that an education “equal to the best" should be accessible to all members of society without regard to gender, race, religion, or economic status. It is that founding mission and commitment to diversity and inclusion that make Cooper the community it is today.

A diverse community brings perspectives, approaches, and experiences that can challenge embedded worldviews and enrich social and intellectual life. Different viewpoints, voices, and experiences are essential to questioning the status quo of a learning environment. Cooper's commitment to inclusive pedagogy and curricula aims at fostering engagement, collaboration, shared understanding, and common purpose.  

The Cooper Union is a highly regarded institution with a public mission to prepare bright, creative, and ambitious students of all backgrounds to apply their talent and expertise to make meaningful contributions to society and the world. All admitted undergraduate students receive a half-tuition scholarship valued at $22,275 per school year. After applying for need-based financial aid, students are often provided with significant additional aid to help cover tuition, room and board, and other related expenses.

To learn more about the Cooper community ...

Mission

Office of Student Affairs

Clubs and Organizations

Anti-racist Resources 

Nondiscrimination Statement

Statement on Supreme Court Affirmative Action Ruling

Compare us to other schools

 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.