Admit rate has ranged 28%–50% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Coppin State University is a public Historically Black University in West Baltimore that operates as a vital engine of upward mobility for its community. With a laser focus on career-ready education in fields like nursing, criminal justice, and social work, Coppin serves a student body where 64% are first-generation, creating a uniquely supportive and familial campus culture. While graduation rates present a challenge, the university's low net price and strong recognition for long-term return on investment among HBCUs underscore its critical mission.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
Grade point average
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,844
In-state tuition
$7,100
Out-of-state tuition
$14,024
Graduation Rate
26%
Early Decision Plan
Not offered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$46,490
First-Generation Students
64%
Students Receiving Grant/Scholarship Aid
89-90%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,490
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.7×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
26%
First-year retention
66%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
26%
Pell (lower-income) share
54%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
47%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$73,231
Biology, General$38,289
Health and Medical Administrative Services$36,132
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$35,864
Psychology, General$33,993
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.93
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
88
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
30°F
Annual rain
59.6"
Annual snow
14.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
53
Scholarly works
691
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Coppin State University?
Coppin State University's acceptance rate is approximately 46% (Baltimore, MD), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Coppin State University?
Admitted students at Coppin State University typically score 880–1020 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Coppin State University cost?
At Coppin State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $9,977 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Coppin State University?
Coppin State University enrolls approximately 1,844 undergraduate students.
Where is Coppin State University located?
Coppin State University is located in Baltimore, MD.
Admissions
Coppin State operates on a rolling admissions policy, reviewing applications continuously until enrollment capacity is met. The process is moderately selective, with the university considering admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process, though it has offered policies for recent application cycles. A defining characteristic of the admitted class is its high proportion of college students, which stands at 64%. The university has recently seen a surge in interest, receiving a record 23,000 applications. It does not offer an Early Decision plan.
Admissions Policy: Rolling admissions.
Test Policy: Test scores are considered, but test-optional periods have been offered (e.g., for Spring/Fall 2023).
Class Characteristic: 64% of students are first-generation.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$32,772
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$31,839
Social Work$31,133
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics at Coppin are organized into four career-focused colleges: the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE); the College of Health Professions (CHP); the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (CBSS); and the College of Business (COB). The university designs its programs to be flexible and translate directly to the job market. With over 50 majors, minors, and concentrations, the curriculum spans from traditional liberal arts to high-demand professional fields. The most popular majors reflect this practical orientation: Registered Nursing, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, Social Work, and Business. Standout and distinctive programs include Applied Psychology, Cybersecurity Engineering, Dance, and Elementary Education. The academic environment is described as small and supportive, with a teaching-focused faculty.
Life at Coppin is built around a close-knit, familial community—students often describe the campus as a supportive, family-like environment where professors are approachable. The Office of Campus Life provides a hub for activities designed for students to "have fun, be entertained, network, learn, and generally enjoy the many aspects of college life." The campus features state-of-the-art facilities and a wide array of clubs, organizations, and leadership opportunities. Students become part of "EAGLE NATION," a community rooted in and HBCU tradition. The residential campus in West Baltimore offers a self-contained experience, with campus life structured to help students build their own vibrant college community.
Coppin State's outcomes tell a story of transformation with significant challenges. The six-year graduation rate has historically been low, with one report noting a decrease to 20% for a recent cohort, though the four-year rate showed an increase to 14%. Where Coppin shines is in its return on investment, particularly for its graduates. The university was recently highlighted as the sixth-best HBCU for overall long-term ROI and the second-best HBCU for first-year salary outcomes. Graduates report strong earning potential, with median earnings four years after graduation noted as being above the national median. This suggests that for those who persist, a Coppin degree delivers substantial economic mobility.
Affordability is a cornerstone of Coppin State's mission. The average —what students pay after grants and scholarships—is remarkably low. A vast majority of full-time, first-year undergraduates (89-90%) receive some form of grant or scholarship aid, with the average aid package reported to be around $9,900. Financial assistance is available based on demonstrated academic achievement and financial need, and the university provides a Net Price Calculator for families to estimate their individual cost. Awards like the Federal Pell Grant are common, with ranges from a minimum of $740 to a maximum of $7,395. This commitment to aid makes a four-year degree financially accessible for the predominantly and low-income student body it serves.
Coppin State stands out as an HBCU that is unapologetically focused on its community's uplift. It's not a university of lofty endowment figures or cutthroat selectivity; it's an institution built on access, support, and tangible results. Its identity is forged in serving West Baltimore and students for whom college is not a given—64% are . The academic portfolio is shrewdly tailored to regional workforce needs in healthcare, justice, education, and business. While graduation rates point to the very real hurdles its students face, Coppin's recognition for delivering one of the best long-term returns on investment among all HBCUs is a powerful testament to its success. When its graduates cross the stage, they don't just get a diploma; they get a proven economic lever. Coppin is the definition of a mission-driven university: it meets students where they are and is judged by how far it can take them.
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