Union College vs. Lafayette College

Comparable Facts

Compare Union College in Schenectady, NY with Lafayette College in Easton, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lafayette College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,775 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union College is located in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting); Lafayette College is in Easton, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lafayette College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union College 9:1; Lafayette College 10:1.

Union College vs. Lafayette College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union College or Lafayette 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 Lafayette College than Union College ($38,442 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 14.4% lower than at Lafayette College ($17,010 vs. $19,866).
• Union College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lafayette College (about $3,641 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Union College than at Lafayette College (about $3,641 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $65,398.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Lafayette College (96% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lafayette College students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Union College students ($44,707 vs. $42,534).

Union College vs. Lafayette College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lafayette College (1430) is 30 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Lafayette College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 1310/1480; Lafayette College 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 29/33; Lafayette College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union College - Test optional; Lafayette College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027; Lafayette College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lafayette College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Lafayette College (31.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 21.8% at Lafayette College.

Union College vs. Lafayette College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union College and Lafayette 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).

• Lafayette College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Lafayette College earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Union College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,000 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Lafayette College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Lafayette College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 86%)

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.