SUNY Poly vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

SUNY Polytechnic Institute is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,733 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is located in Utica, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 13:1; Union College 9:1.

SUNY Poly vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY Poly 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 Polytechnic Institute than Union College ($14,782 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY Polytechnic Institute are 2.5% lower than at Union College ($16,584 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 700.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Poly (about $60,414 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $8,625.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 225.4% higher at Union College than at SUNY Polytechnic Institute (about $47,824 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $21,215.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Polytechnic Institute than at Union College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 409% larger than aid received by SUNY Polytechnic Institute students ($42,534 vs. $8,357).

SUNY Poly vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 200 points higher than at SUNY Poly (1200).
• Incoming Union College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at SUNY Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 1025/1370; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY Polytechnic Institute 22/30; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY Poly - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNY Poly Aug 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Poly students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Union College (3.5).
• SUNY Poly has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at SUNY Poly vs. 13.9% at Union College.

SUNY Poly vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY Poly 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 Polytechnic Institute's (47%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than SUNY Poly graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $53,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Polytechnic Institute graduates have a $10,415 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($16,585 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Poly graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($171 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNY Poly students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 63%)

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.