SUNY Cortland vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

Compare State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• State University of New York at Cortland is located in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: State University of New York at Cortland 15:1; Union College 9:1.

SUNY Cortland vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Cortland 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 State University of New York at Cortland than Union College ($19,847 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at State University of New York at Cortland are 8.5% lower than at Union College ($15,560 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 678% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $60,165 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 267.5% higher at Union College than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $50,255 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at State University of New York at Cortland (96% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 415.3% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($42,534 vs. $8,254).

SUNY Cortland vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY Cortland 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 SUNY Cortland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 230 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming Union College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: State University of New York at Cortland 22/27; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Cortland - Test-free; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Union College (3.5).
• SUNY Cortland has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at SUNY Cortland vs. 13.9% at Union College.

SUNY Cortland vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Cortland 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 State University of New York at Cortland's (67%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $26,900 more per year than SUNY Cortland graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $47,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Cortland students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 75%)

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.