AU vs. Union College

American University and Union College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Union College (43.9% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1400 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: AU. Average net price is $39,676 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Acceptance rate
Union College more selective
AU62%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Union College higher
AU1280-1460
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
AU $2,461 less
AU$39,676
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
AU $10,268 less
AU$58,771
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
AU $10,268 less
AU$58,771
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Union College +9 pts
AU77%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Union College +$9,400
AU$64,800
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 5.4% lower than at American University ($17,010 vs. $17,982).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 17.5% higher at Union College than at American University (about $10,268 more per year; $69,039 vs. $58,771).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at American University (96% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 17% larger than aid received by American University students ($42,534 vs. $36,349).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Union College than at AU (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at AU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($250 vs. $279).
  • More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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