Princeton vs. Union College

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

Princeton University
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Princeton (4.6% admitted vs 43.9%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1400.
  • Cheaper after aid: Princeton. Average net price is $15,313 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: Princeton 96% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Princeton $113,900 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

Princeton University Union College
Acceptance rate
Princeton more selective
Princeton4.6%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Princeton higher
Princeton1510-1580
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
Princeton $26,824 less
Princeton$15,313
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
Princeton $6,351 less
Princeton$62,688
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
Princeton $6,351 less
Princeton$62,688
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Princeton +10 pts
Princeton96%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
Princeton +$39,700
Princeton$113,900
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Princeton 40,468
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • Princeton 1,868
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • Princeton 4.6%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Princeton 75.5%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Princeton 1550
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • Princeton 34
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Princeton 3.93
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Princeton A
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Princeton Elite
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Princeton Extreme
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • Princeton 1510-1580
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • Princeton 34-35
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Princeton Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Princeton Jan 1, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • Princeton $20,250
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • Princeton $15,313
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • Princeton $68,727
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Princeton 67%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • Princeton 96%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Princeton $113,900
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Princeton 83%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Princeton $7,500
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Princeton $77
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Princeton 5:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Princeton
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • History (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Princeton Princeton, NJ
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • Princeton Large Suburban
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Princeton 9,137
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • Princeton Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Princeton #1
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Princeton University is located in Princeton, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
  • Princeton University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Princeton University 5:1; Union College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 16% lower than at Princeton University ($17,010 vs. $20,250).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Union College than at Princeton University (about $6,351 more per year; $69,039 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Princeton University (96% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 61.6% larger than aid received by Union College students ($68,727 vs. $42,534).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Princeton than at Union College (34 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Princeton and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Princeton average a 3.93 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than Union College graduates ($7,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union College graduates ($77 vs. $279).
  • More Union College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 83%).

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

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