Union College vs. Oberlin

Comparable Facts

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

Oberlin College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,909 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Union College vs. Oberlin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union College or Oberlin? 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 Union College than Oberlin ($42,137 vs. $51,624).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 12.8% lower than at Oberlin College ($17,010 vs. $19,510).
• Union College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Oberlin (about $1,673 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Union College than at Oberlin College (about $1,673 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $67,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oberlin College than at Union College (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 18.9% larger than aid received by Oberlin College students ($42,534 vs. $35,780).

Union College vs. Oberlin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oberlin College (1440) is 40 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Oberlin 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; Oberlin College 1360/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 29/33; Oberlin College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union College - Test optional; Oberlin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027; Oberlin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oberlin students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Oberlin (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 19.5% at Oberlin.

Union College vs. Oberlin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union College and Oberlin? 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).

• Oberlin College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $30,300 more per year than Oberlin graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oberlin College graduates have a $421 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($26,579 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Oberlin graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($274 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oberlin students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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.