Cooper Union

Location: New York

Specialty: Engineering, art, and architecture.

How to get in: Applicants need to submit a portfolio and complete a home test of six or seven projects. Architecture applicants are accepted based on their academic achievement and a home test evaluation. Engineering students are admitted based on their high school average, SAT scores, and other math or science exams.

Percentage of students accepted: Of the 2,551 students who applied in 2007, 11% were accepted.

Estimated annual value of tuition: $31,500.