Wheaton College vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

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

Wheaton College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (2,874 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wheaton College is located in Wheaton, IL (Large Suburban setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• Wheaton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wheaton College 10:1; Union College 9:1.

Wheaton College vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College than Union College ($31,356 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wheaton College are 23.5% lower than at Union College ($13,010 vs. $17,010).
• Union College is 51.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wheaton College (about $23,493 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.6% higher at Union College than at Wheaton College (about $23,493 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $45,546.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wheaton College than at Union College (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 52% larger than aid received by Wheaton College students ($42,534 vs. $27,987).

Wheaton College vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wheaton College 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 Wheaton College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 30 points higher than at Wheaton College (1370).
• Incoming Union College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Wheaton College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 1260/1470; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wheaton College 28/32; Union College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wheaton College - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wheaton College Aug 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wheaton College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Union College (3.5).
• Wheaton College has a higher acceptance rate (87.4%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.9% at Wheaton College vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Wheaton College vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wheaton College 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).

• Wheaton College's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Union College's (86%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $19,900 more per year than Wheaton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Wheaton College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More Wheaton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.