Princeton vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Union College 9:1.

Princeton vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Princeton 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 Princeton University than Union College ($15,313 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 16% lower than at Princeton University ($17,010 vs. $20,250).
• Union College is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Princeton (about $6,351 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Union College than at Princeton University (about $6,351 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $62,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Princeton University (96% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 61.6% larger than aid received by Union College students ($68,727 vs. $42,534).

Princeton vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Princeton 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 Princeton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Princeton University (1550) is 150 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Princeton 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: Princeton University 1510/1580; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Princeton University 34/35; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Princeton - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Princeton students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Princeton (4.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Princeton vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Princeton 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).

• Princeton University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Princeton University earn a median of about $39,700 more per year than Union College graduates about ten years after starting college ($113,900 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($77 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton 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.