Columbia vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Union College 9:1.

Columbia vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than Union College ($22,520 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 3.2% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($17,010 vs. $17,580).
• Columbia University in the City of New York is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union College (about $2,806 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Columbia than at Union College (about $2,806 more per year; $71,845.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (96% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 57.5% larger than aid received by Union College students ($67,010 vs. $42,534).

Columbia vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia 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 Columbia.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 150 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Columbia 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: Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia 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 Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Columbia vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $33,400 more per year than Union College graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 76%)

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.