Amherst vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

Compare Amherst College in Amherst, MA with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Union College is larger than Amherst based on total student enrollment (2,065 students vs. 1,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Amherst College is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Amherst College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Amherst College 6:1; Union College 9:1.

Amherst vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Amherst 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 Amherst College than Union College ($19,049 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 7.5% lower than at Amherst College ($17,010 vs. $18,390).
• Amherst College is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union College (about $1,441 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Amherst than at Union College (about $1,441 more per year; $70,480.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Amherst College (96% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Amherst College students is 61.3% larger than aid received by Union College students ($68,591 vs. $42,534).

Amherst vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Amherst 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 Amherst.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Amherst College (1540) is 140 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Amherst students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 1490/1580; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Amherst College 33/35; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Amherst - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Amherst Jan 2, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Amherst students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Amherst (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Amherst vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Amherst vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Amherst 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).

• Amherst College's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Amherst College earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Union College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,000 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Amherst College graduates have a $14,025 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($12,975 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Amherst graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($134 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Amherst students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 83%)

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.