Purchase College vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Union College 9:1.

Purchase College vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Union College ($18,211 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Purchase College are 3.4% lower than at Union College ($16,436 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 671.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $60,086 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 259.5% higher at Union College than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $49,836 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at SUNY at Purchase College (96% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 307.7% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($42,534 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College 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 Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 120 points higher than at Purchase College (1280).
• Incoming Union College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Purchase College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Purchase College has a higher acceptance rate (74%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Purchase College vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College 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 SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $34,000 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 65%)

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.