City College of New York vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY City College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (15,544 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY City College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• CUNY City College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY City College 15:1; Union College 9:1.

City College of New York vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City College of New York 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 CUNY City College than Union College ($4,664 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 9.7% lower than at CUNY City College ($17,010 vs. $18,840).
• Union College is 840.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than City College of New York (about $61,699 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $7,340.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 351.5% higher at Union College than at CUNY City College (about $53,749 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $15,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at CUNY City College (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 335.7% larger than aid received by CUNY City College students ($42,534 vs. $9,763).

City College of New York vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City College of New York 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 City College of New York.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 150 points higher than at City College of New York (1250).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY City College 1070/1430; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUnion College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City College of New York - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: City College of New York Feb 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at City College of New York (3.2).
• City College of New York has a higher acceptance rate (60%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at City College of New York vs. 13.9% at Union College.

City College of New York vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City College of New York 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 CUNY City College's (40%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $24,400 more per year than City College of New York graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY City College graduates have a $15,600 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($11,400 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, City College of New York graduates have an estimated $162 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($117 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City College of New York students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 52%)

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.