Union College vs. Swarthmore

Comparable Facts

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

Union College is larger than Swarthmore based on total student enrollment (2,065 students vs. 1,623 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union College is located in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting); Swarthmore College is in Swarthmore, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Swarthmore College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union College 9:1; Swarthmore College 7:1.

Union College vs. Swarthmore Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union College or Swarthmore? 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 Swarthmore College than Union College ($22,469 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 16.2% lower than at Swarthmore College ($17,010 vs. $20,308).
• Union College is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Swarthmore (about $3,545 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Union College than at Swarthmore College (about $3,545 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $65,494.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Swarthmore College (96% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Swarthmore College students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Union College students ($61,634 vs. $42,534).

Union College vs. Swarthmore Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Swarthmore College (1530) is 130 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Swarthmore students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 1310/1480; Swarthmore College 1490/1560.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 29/33; Swarthmore College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union College - Test optional; Swarthmore - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027; Swarthmore Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Swarthmore students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Swarthmore (7.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 43.8% at Swarthmore.

Union College vs. Swarthmore Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Swarthmore College's six-year graduation rate (95%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Swarthmore graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Swarthmore College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Swarthmore graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More Swarthmore graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.