Barnard vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Barnard College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Barnard vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard 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 Barnard College than Union College ($26,407 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 21.7% lower than at Barnard College ($17,010 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union College (about $849 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Barnard than at Union College (about $849 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Barnard College (96% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Union College students ($63,131 vs. $42,534).

Barnard vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard 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 Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Barnard College (1520) is 120 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Barnard students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 1470/1560; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 32/34; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Barnard students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Barnard (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Barnard vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard 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).

• Barnard College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Barnard graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $66,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $9,153 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($184 vs. $279).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 86%)

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.