Staten Island vs. Union College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Staten Island CUNY in Staten Island, NY with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Staten Island CUNY is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (11,033 students vs. 2,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Staten Island CUNY is located in Staten Island, NY (Large City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
• College of Staten Island CUNY is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Staten Island CUNY 17:1; Union College 9:1.

Staten Island vs. Union College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Staten Island 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 College of Staten Island CUNY than Union College ($6,525 vs. $42,137).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 19.6% lower than at College of Staten Island CUNY ($17,010 vs. $21,155).
• Union College is 821.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Staten Island (about $61,549 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $7,490.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 347.1% higher at Union College than at College of Staten Island CUNY (about $53,599 more per year; $69,039.00 vs. $15,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at College of Staten Island CUNY (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union College students is 398.9% larger than aid received by College of Staten Island CUNY students ($42,534 vs. $8,526).

Staten Island vs. Union College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Staten Island 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 Staten Island.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union College (1400) is 330 points higher than at Staten Island (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Staten Island CUNY 890/1250; Union College 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUnion College 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Staten Island - Test optional; Union College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Union College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Union College students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Staten Island (3.0).
• Staten Island has a higher acceptance rate (92.3%) than Union College (43.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at Staten Island vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Staten Island vs. Union College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Staten Island 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).

• Union College's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than College of Staten Island CUNY's (48%).
• Graduates from Union College earn a median of about $29,100 more per year than Staten Island graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,200 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Staten Island CUNY graduates have a $13,013 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($13,987 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Staten Island graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($144 vs. $279).
• More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Staten Island students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 49%)

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.