Wellesley vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Wellesley College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,407 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Wellesley vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wellesley or Union 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 Wellesley College than Union College ($22,174 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 19.1% lower than at Wellesley College ($17,010 vs. $21,024).
• Union College is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wellesley (about $1,863 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Union College than at Wellesley College (about $1,863 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $67,176.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Wellesley College (96% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wellesley College students is 50.7% larger than aid received by Union College students ($64,116 vs. $42,534).

Wellesley vs. Union College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wellesley College (1510) is 110 points higher than at Union College (1400).
• Incoming Wellesley 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: Wellesley College 1460/1560; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wellesley College 33/35; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wellesley - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wellesley Jan 8, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wellesley 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 Wellesley (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.6% at Wellesley vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Wellesley vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wellesley and Union 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).

• Wellesley College's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Wellesley graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $68,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wellesley College graduates have a $18,100 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($8,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wellesley graduates have an estimated $187 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($92 vs. $279).
• More Wellesley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.