RPI vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Union College 9:1.

RPI vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RPI 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute than Union College ($38,887 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 6.1% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,010 vs. $18,120).
• Union College is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than RPI (about $4,958 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Union College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $4,958 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $64,081.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Union College students ($43,517 vs. $42,534).

RPI vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RPI 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 RPI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1440) is 40 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming RPI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1375/1510; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 30/34; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: RPI - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RPI students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at Union College (3.5).
• RPI has a higher acceptance rate (63.5%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 13.9% at Union College.

RPI vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for RPI 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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's (84%).
• Graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Union College graduates about ten years after starting college ($82,500 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Union College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($279 vs. $284).
• More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.