Harvard vs. Union College

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

Harvard University
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Harvard (3.6% admitted vs 43.9%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Harvard. Average net price is $17,525 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: Harvard 97% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Harvard $136,700 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

Harvard University Union College
Acceptance rate
Harvard more selective
Harvard3.6%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Harvard higher
Harvard1510-1580
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
Harvard $24,612 less
Harvard$17,525
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
Harvard $7,363 less
Harvard$61,676
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
Harvard $7,363 less
Harvard$61,676
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Harvard +11 pts
Harvard97%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Harvard +$62,500
Harvard$136,700
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Harvard 54,008
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • Harvard 1,970
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • Harvard 3.6%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Harvard 83.6%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Harvard 1550
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Harvard 35
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Harvard 4.0
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Harvard A/A+
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Harvard Elite
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Harvard Extreme
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • Harvard 1510-1580
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Harvard 34-36
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Harvard Required
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Harvard Jan 1, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Harvard $61,676
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • Harvard $21,190
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • Harvard $17,525
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • Harvard $68,015
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Harvard 56%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Harvard 97%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Harvard $136,700
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Harvard 70%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Harvard $6,500
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Harvard $67
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Harvard 7:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Harvard
    • Social Sciences (32%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • History (9%)
    • Mathematics (6%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Harvard Cambridge, MA
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • Harvard Midsize City
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Harvard 30,259
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • Harvard Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Harvard #4
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

Compare Harvard University in Cambridge, MA with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Harvard University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (30,259 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Harvard University is located in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
  • Harvard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Harvard University 7:1; Union College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 19.7% lower than at Harvard University ($17,010 vs. $21,190).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at Union College than at Harvard University (about $7,363 more per year; $69,039 vs. $61,676).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Harvard University (96% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Harvard University students is 59.9% larger than aid received by Union College students ($68,015 vs. $42,534).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Harvard than at Union College (35 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Harvard, test optional at Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Harvard Jan 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Harvard average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.5 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 83.6% at Harvard vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Harvard University graduates have a $20,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($6,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Harvard graduates have an estimated $212 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($67 vs. $279).
  • More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harvard students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 70%).

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

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