Comparison · 7 material differences
Cosmos Club vs The University Club of New York
This comparison was generated on request from the records. It carries no editorial verdict and is not indexed. The published comparisons are listed on the compare page.
Read down each column for one organization, across a row for the difference. A bronze mark at the left of a cell means the organizations differ on that row. A dash or “not published” means the organization does not disclose the fact; it is not a zero.
What the records say
- Gender: Cosmos Club: No published gender; The University Club of New York: Open to men and women since 1987.
- Annual dues: Cosmos Club: The club publishes no dues figure. Wikipedia reports annual dues of approximately $2,000 as of 2015; not independently verified and likely out of date; The University Club of New York: Not publicly disclosed.
Side by side
| Cosmos Club | The University Club of New York | |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | ||
| Type | Private club | Private club |
| Founded | 1878 (The club states it has "provided a prestigious environment for intellectual fellowship since 1878"; it was organised by John Wesley Powell and a circle of Washington scientists after Clarence Dutton asked why Washington had no club like the Century.) | 1865 (Incorporated 28 April 1865, growing out of the Red Room Club formed in 1861 by Yale alumni; stated purpose was the promotion of literature and art.) |
| Headquarters | Washington, United States | New York, United States |
| Geographic footprint | Single clubhouse in the Townsend House at 2121 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC, with the adjoining Hillyer House and an annex | Single clubhouse at One West 54th Street, Manhattan |
| Members | Not publicly disclosed by the club. Wikipedia gives approximately 3,089 members across full, junior, senior and emeritus categories as of 2017; that has not been independently verified. | Not publicly disclosed |
| Chapters | Single clubhouse; no chapters | Single clubhouse; no chapters |
| Primary audience | The club describes itself as "a private Washington, D.C. social club for individuals distinguished in science, literature, the arts, learned professions, or public service" and says that to become a member "an individual must demonstrate distinction in their prospective artistic, scientific, literary, public service, or professional career". | University graduates. Historically the club required a degree from a recognised college; Wikipedia's account states that members now hold a baccalaureate degree from any accredited institution. |
| Typical member | Members are people with a record of distinction in science, literature, the arts, a learned profession or public service. The club says its members have included three US presidents, two vice-presidents, 14 Supreme Court justices, 36 Nobel Prize winners, 61 Pulitzer Prize winners and 55 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. | Not publicly disclosed. The club publishes no member statistics; historical accounts record roughly 502 members in 1879, 2,800 in 1901 and about 4,000 in the 1980s. |
| Qualification | ||
| Gender | No published gender | Open to men and women since 1987The club voted to admit women in 1987 following city antidiscrimination enforcement; 16 women had joined within a yearverified September 2026 · source ↗ |
| Invitation required | Not documented | Not documented |
| Sponsor required | Not documented | Not documented |
| Application process | No application process is published. The club states the standard candidates must meet -- demonstrated distinction in a career in the arts, sciences, literature, public service or a profession -- but publishes no nomination procedure, application form, membership contact or timetable. | The club publishes no application process. Its website has no membership page, application form or membership contact; enquiries go through the front office or an existing member. |
| Selectivity | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Cost | ||
| Annual dues | The club publishes no dues figure. Wikipedia reports annual dues of approximately $2,000 as of 2015; not independently verified and likely out of dateverified September 2026 · source ↗ | Not publicly disclosedverified September 2026 · source ↗ |
| Initiation fee | Not publicly disclosedverified September 2026 · source ↗ | Not publicly disclosedverified September 2026 · source ↗ |
| Membership term | Not documented | Not documented |
| Structure | ||
| Meeting frequency | A continuous programme of lectures, concerts, literary conversations, study groups, wine tastings, brunches and dinner dances, listed on a members-only calendar | Clubhouse open daily for dining, athletics, the library and overnight stays; a variety of social events for members |
| Peer forums | Member study groups and committees, including an American History Study Group, Civil War group, Art Committee and Associates luncheons, appear on the club's public events calendar | Not documented |
| Confidentiality | Not publicly disclosed. The club publishes a cell phones and electronics policy rather than a confidentiality rule. | House rules bar use of the club name for publicity or press coverage without written House Committee approval, restrict photography, and prohibit using the club directory to solicit business or political activity from other members |
| Time commitment | Not documented | Not documented |
| Organized as | Clubhouse premises, Event-focused | Clubhouse premises, Event-focused |
| Confidential peer forums | No | No |
| Local chapters | No | No |
| Virtual membership | No | No |
| Online community | No | No |
| Member directory | Not documented | Yes |
| Events | Yes | Yes |
| Programming | ||
| Educational programming | Yes | Partial |
| Leadership development | No | No |
| Retreats | No | No |
| Travel | Yes | Not documented |
| Family programming | Partial | Not documented |
| Spouse and partner programming | Not documented | Not documented |
| Next-generation programming | Not documented | Not documented |
| Investment discussions | No | No |
| Investment opportunities | No | No |
| Philanthropic component | Partial | Not documented |
| Networking emphasis | Medium | Low |
| Social emphasis | High | High |
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Sources
Drawn from the sources listed on each page: Cosmos Club · The University Club of New York