Union College vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pennsylvania is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union College is located in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union College 9:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

Union College vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union College or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than Union College ($23,570 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 11.3% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($17,010 vs. $19,174).
• Union College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn (about $353 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Union College than at University of Pennsylvania (about $353 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $68,686.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 53.9% larger than aid received by Union College students ($65,458 vs. $42,534).

Union College vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 140 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at Union College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 1310/1480; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 29/33; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union College - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 68% at Penn.

Union College vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $49,400 more per year than Union College graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,367 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 84%)

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.