QUICK ANSWER
Two things set Cooper Union apart from SVA. The first is the Hometest. After applying to Cooper’s School of Art, every applicant receives six visual and ten written prompts and has about a month to complete them, alongside a 15–20 piece portfolio. The second is cost. Cooper’s 2026–27 tuition is $44,550, and every admitted undergraduate receives a half-tuition scholarship of $22,275.
SVA’s 2026–27 tuition is $55,270, and its merit aid goes to some admits, not all. On tuition alone, Cooper costs less than half as much. The trade-off is the Hometest’s timing and workload, which fall in the middle of the Korean school year.
Both schools are in Manhattan, but they ask very different things of an applicant. This page compares what each school publishes for its first-year application and costs. The older version of this page included estimated figures, which have been replaced with each school’s published numbers.
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The Two Applications
| Cooper Union School of Art | SVA | |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 15–20 strongest, most recent works | 15–20 images for most majors, at least 3 from direct observation |
| Extra assignment | Hometest: 6 visual and 10 written prompts, about one month | None |
| Major | A single School of Art programme | One department chosen on the application |
| Recommendations | One | Optional |
| Fee | $75 | $50 |
| SAT/ACT | Test optional | Not required |
From Cooper Union’s School of Art first-year application page and SVA’s Undergraduate Application Requirements, checked October 2026.
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The Hometest Calendar
| Step | Early Decision | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | 1 December | 5 January |
| Hometest released | 7 December | 12 January |
| Hometest due | 5 January | 9 February |
| Decision | 1 February | 1 April |
From Cooper Union’s School of Art first-year application page. Physical and digital Hometest submissions are both required. Early Decision is binding.
For a Korean student, the Hometest month lands in the winter break or the start of the new term. It also coincides with other U.S. deadlines, such as SVA’s 1 February scholarship postmark. A student applying to Cooper should finish the main portfolio and other applications before the Hometest arrives, so that the month can go to the Hometest. Writing matters too: ten written prompts are a real share of the work.
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What It Costs
| Item (2026–27) | Cooper Union | SVA |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $44,550 | $55,270 |
| Guaranteed scholarship | Half-tuition, $22,275, for every admitted undergraduate | None guaranteed; merit aid reviewed for applicants meeting the 1 February deadline |
| Tuition after guaranteed aid | $22,275 | $55,270 |
| Fees | Registration $1,135 and international student fee $1,005, each per semester | Department fee in first year (for example $810 for Design) |
From Cooper Union’s Tuition and Fees page and SVA’s Tuition and Fees page. Housing and living costs are extra at both schools.
Cooper also offers additional scholarships to admitted students, including international students, beyond the half-tuition award. At SVA, our records show awards for 41 of 140 Royal Blue admits (29%), averaging $58,944 across those 41 awards. A Cooper admit starts from half tuition; an SVA admit may or may not receive aid. SVA has also reported financial pressure in 2026, which our SVA guide covers.
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Which Student Fits Which School
- Cooper Union suits a student who thinks across media, writes well, and can give a month to an open-ended assignment. It also suits a family for whom cost is decisive.
- SVA suits a student who knows their department and wants to start specialised work, such as illustration, design or animation, from the first year.
- Applying to both is possible. Start early: Cooper’s Hometest and SVA’s scholarship deadline fall in the same weeks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cooper Union Hometest?
An assignment sent to School of Art applicants after they apply: six visual and ten written prompts, completed in about a month and submitted both physically and digitally with a 15–20 piece portfolio.
Is Cooper Union free?
Not fully. 2026–27 tuition is $44,550, and every admitted undergraduate receives a half-tuition scholarship of $22,275. Fees and living costs are extra.
Can international students get aid at Cooper Union?
Yes. The half-tuition scholarship goes to every admitted undergraduate, including international students, and Cooper lists additional scholarship options. International students are not eligible for U.S. federal or state aid.
Which is cheaper, Cooper Union or SVA?
On tuition after guaranteed aid, Cooper: $22,275 against SVA’s $55,270 for 2026–27. SVA merit aid can narrow the gap for some students.
Is Cooper’s Early Decision binding?
Yes. Apply Early Decision only if Cooper is your clear first choice and your family has checked the cost.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for New York art schools and other U.S. programmes from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students, including 140 at SVA. For Cooper applicants, we plan the year so the portfolio is finished before the Hometest month. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Cooper Union details from its School of Art first-year application, international applicant and Tuition and Fees pages (2026–27); SVA from its Undergraduate Application Requirements and Tuition and Fees pages. Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026). Checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: SVA: Before You Apply · SVA vs RISD for Design · SVA Guide 2026 · A Strong Portfolio · Royal Blue Results