Union College vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Union College vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union College or Vassar? 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 Vassar College than Union College ($29,981 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 6.7% lower than at Vassar College ($17,010 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union College (about $1,991 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Vassar than at Union College (about $1,991 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $69,039.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Vassar College (96% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 35.1% larger than aid received by Union College students ($57,443 vs. $42,534).

Union College vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 100 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Vassar 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; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union College 29/33; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union College - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Union College has a higher acceptance rate (43.9%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.9% at Union College vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

Union College vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $11,220 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($15,780 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($163 vs. $279).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.