Coppin State University

Public · Selective · MD

Photo: Baltimore Heritage (CC0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationMD · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads1,844

Student:faculty12:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate10.5%

6-yr grad rate26.2%

Drop-out rate33.8%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$7k

Out-of-state tuition$14k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity98.9%

Gender diversity74.5%

International4.2%

IdentityHBCU

Overview

Coppin State is a historically Black university in west Baltimore, named for pioneering educator Fanny Jackson Coppin, one of the first Black women in the country to earn a college degree. Its mission is closely tied to serving the surrounding city, and it has built recognizable strengths in fields tied directly to Baltimore's civic and public-health needs, functioning as much as a community anchor as a traditional university.

Academics

Nursing is a longstanding strength, producing graduates who go on to work in Baltimore-area hospitals and clinics, often addressing shortages in the very neighborhoods surrounding campus. The university's urban education program prepares teachers specifically for city school settings, and criminal justice is another established program, reflecting the university's broader civic orientation toward public-service careers within Baltimore itself and the wider region.

Campus & student life

As a largely commuter-oriented institution embedded in west Baltimore, Coppin's student life is closely tied to the surrounding neighborhoods, with many students balancing coursework with work and family responsibilities in the city rather than living a traditional residential college experience. The university positions itself explicitly as an anchor institution for its part of Baltimore, partnering with local schools, hospitals, and community organizations.

Getting in

Coppin's admissions process emphasizes access for Baltimore-area and Maryland students, with less emphasis on essays or standardized formulas than on giving students, including many first-generation and working students, a genuine pathway to a degree. The university is candid about serving students who might not otherwise have a clear route into higher education.

After graduation

Nursing graduates fill real gaps in Baltimore's hospital and clinic workforce, and education graduates go on to teach in the city's public schools, continuing the university's civic mission directly. The alumni network is concentrated in Baltimore itself, with deep ties to the city's healthcare, education, and public-service sectors.

Worth knowing

Students should know that Coppin functions in many ways as a commuter and city-serving institution, with programs like nursing and urban education explicitly designed around Baltimore's own needs rather than a generic curriculum. Traditional residential campus life is limited compared with more suburban or rural HBCUs, which suits students who want to stay rooted in the city.

coppin.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate45.8%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 880–1020

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying (2026-27 cycle)

Apply through Common App, Common Black College App, or Own application.

Priority / scholarshipMar 1

Verified from the school’s admissions pages ↗