Union College
Union College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Union College at a Glance
Union College is a private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, and second in the state of New York, after Columbia College. In the 19th century, it became known as the "Mother of Fraternities", because three of the earliest Greek-letter fraternities were established there. Union began enrolling women in 1970, after 175 years as an all-male institution. The …
1795
231 years old
$564M
$563.7 million (2024)
2,031
219
100 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Union College
Official admissions pageFebruary 15
November 15 (Early Decision I)
Interview
Is Union College Worth It?
Union College offers moderate value at $34,561/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $88,604, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 83% graduation rate means roughly 17% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How Union College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #1 of 10 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Union College | 53 | $34,561 | $88,604 |
| #2 | Rhodes College | 48 | $28,585 | $66,651 |
| #3 | Gettysburg College | 47 | $31,490 | $71,517 |
| #4 | Furman University | 45 | $30,308 | $68,635 |
| #5 | Connecticut College | 43 | $36,175 | $75,001 |
| #6 | Occidental College | 41 | $38,263 | $75,951 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Union College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Union College
The highest-earning program at Union College is Mechanical Engineering at $62,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Political Science and Government at $32,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Union College earns $62,900, while a Political Science and Government graduate earns $32,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $24,431 in median debt vs. $21,500 for Political Science and Government.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $34,561/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,900 | $62,900 | $24,431 |
| Economics | $53,400 | $53,400 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General | $36,700 | $36,700 | $26,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,300 | $35,300 | $19,999 |
| Biology, General | $35,000 | $35,000 | $26,138 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,700 | $32,700 | $21,500 |
Similar Colleges in NY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Schenectady, NY
- Student Body
- 2,046 students
- Admission Rate
- 44%
- Graduation Rate
- 83%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $34,561
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $88,604
- Median Student Debt
- $25,337