EC vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Union College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (2,065 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; Union College 9:1.

EC vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC 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 Elmira College than Union College ($23,682 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 14.5% lower than at Union College ($14,550 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 77.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $30,063 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.1% higher at Union College than at Elmira College (about $30,063 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Union College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($42,534 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC 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 EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 160 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Union College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 13.9% at Union College.

EC vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC 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 Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $28,200 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union College and EC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Union College and EC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 72%)

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.