Union College vs. Bethel

Comparable Facts

Compare Union College in Schenectady, NY with Bethel University in McKenzie, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bethel University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,936 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union College is located in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting); Bethel University is in McKenzie, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union College 9:1; Bethel University 15:1.

Union College vs. Bethel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union College or Bethel? 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 Bethel University than Union College ($13,112 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethel University are 38% lower than at Union College ($10,538 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 269% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bethel (about $50,327 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 269% higher at Union College than at Bethel University (about $50,327 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $18,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethel University than at Union College (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 140.3% larger than aid received by Bethel University students ($42,534 vs. $17,700).

Union College vs. Bethel Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union College or Bethel? 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 Bethel and Union College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 420 points higher than at Bethel (980).
• Incoming Union College students have a 13 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 18 at Bethel).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 1310/1480; Bethel University 830/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 29/33; Bethel University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union College - Test optional; Bethel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bethel students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Bethel has a higher acceptance rate (60.2%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 32.2% at Bethel.

Union College vs. Bethel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union College and Bethel? 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 Bethel University's (32%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $31,500 more per year than Bethel graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Bethel graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,250).
• Among borrowers, Union College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethel graduates ($279 vs. $292).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethel students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 33%)

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.