AU vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Union College 9:1.

AU vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Union College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American University than Union College ($39,676 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 5.4% lower than at American University ($17,010 vs. $17,982).
• Union College is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than AU (about $10,268 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at Union College than at American University (about $10,268 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $58,771.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at American University (96% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 17% larger than aid received by American University students ($42,534 vs. $36,349).

AU vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Union College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Union College and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 30 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming Union College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Union College (3.5).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 13.9% at Union College.

AU vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Union College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.