Columbia vs. Union College

Columbia University in the City of New York and Union College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Columbia University in the City of New York
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia (4% admitted vs 43.9%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia. Average net price is $22,520 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: Columbia 93% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Columbia $107,600 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

Columbia University in the City of New York Union College
Acceptance rate
Columbia more selective
Columbia4%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia higher
Columbia1510-1580
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
Columbia $19,617 less
Columbia$22,520
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
Union College $2,806 less
Columbia$71,845
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
Union College $2,806 less
Columbia$71,845
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Columbia +7 pts
Columbia93%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia +$33,400
Columbia$107,600
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • Columbia 4%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Columbia 1550
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Columbia 34
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Columbia A
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Columbia Elite
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Columbia Extreme
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • Columbia 1510-1580
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Columbia 34-35
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • Columbia $67,010
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Columbia 52%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Columbia 93%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Columbia 76%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Columbia $222
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • Columbia Large City
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Columbia #22
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
  • Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1; Union College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 3.2% lower than at Columbia University in the City of New York ($17,010 vs. $17,580).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Columbia than at Union College (about $2,806 more per year; $71,845 vs. $69,039).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (96% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 57.5% larger than aid received by Union College students ($67,010 vs. $42,534).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Columbia than at Union College (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Columbia and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.41 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.9% at Columbia vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 76%).

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

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