Barnard vs. Union College

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

Barnard College
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 43.9%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Barnard. Average net price is $26,407 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: Barnard 92% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Barnard $66,900 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

Barnard College Union College
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Barnard8.8%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Barnard1470-1560
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
Barnard $15,730 less
Barnard$26,407
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
Union College $849 less
Barnard$69,888
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
Union College $849 less
Barnard$69,888
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Barnard +6 pts
Barnard92%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Union College +$7,300
Barnard$66,900
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Barnard 1520
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Barnard 33
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Barnard A
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Barnard Elite
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Barnard Extreme
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • Barnard $63,131
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Barnard 33%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Barnard 92%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Barnard 89%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Barnard $184
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • Barnard Large City
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Barnard #35
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Barnard College is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (3,487 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 21.7% lower than at Barnard College ($17,010 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Barnard than at Union College (about $849 more per year; $69,888 vs. $69,039).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Barnard College (96% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 48.4% larger than aid received by Union College students ($63,131 vs. $42,534).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Barnard than at Union College (33 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Barnard and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Barnard average a 3.85 high school GPA, 0.35 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $9,153 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($17,847 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($184 vs. $279).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 86%).

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

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