SUNY-ESF vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,757 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is located in Syracuse, NY (Midsize City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 14:1; Union College 9:1.

SUNY-ESF vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-ESF 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry than Union College ($19,814 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 5.9% lower than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry ($17,010 vs. $18,080).
• Union College is 642.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-ESF (about $59,736 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $9,303.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 210.1% higher at Union College than at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (about $46,776 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $22,263.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry as at Union College (96% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 389% larger than aid received by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry students ($42,534 vs. $8,699).

SUNY-ESF vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-ESF 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-ESF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 180 points higher than at SUNY-ESF (1220).
• Incoming Union College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at SUNY-ESF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1130/1300; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 24/30; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-ESF - Test-free; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY-ESF Feb 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY-ESF students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Union College (3.5).
• SUNY-ESF has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.6% at SUNY-ESF vs. 13.9% at Union College.

SUNY-ESF vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-ESF 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 College of Environmental Science and Forestry's (66%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $28,000 more per year than SUNY-ESF graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-ESF graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY-ESF students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 78%)

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.