RPI vs. Union College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Union College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Union College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Union College (43.9% admitted vs 63.5%). Typical SAT 1400 vs 1440.
  • Cheaper after aid: RPI. Average net price is $38,887 vs $42,137 at Union College.
  • Graduation: RPI 84% vs Union College 86%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: RPI $82,500 vs Union College $74,200 (median).
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Key differences

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Union College
Acceptance rate
Union College more selective
RPI63.5%
Union College43.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
RPI higher
RPI1375-1510
Union College1310-1480
Average net price
RPI $3,250 less
RPI$38,887
Union College$42,137
In-state tuition
RPI $4,958 less
RPI$64,081
Union College$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
RPI $4,958 less
RPI$64,081
Union College$69,039
Graduation rate
Union College +2 pts
RPI84%
Union College86%
Median earnings (10 years)
RPI +$8,300
RPI$82,500
Union College$74,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • RPI 17,175
  • Union College 8,210
  • Admitted
  • RPI 10,901
  • Union College 3,606
  • Acceptance rate
  • RPI 63.5%
  • Union College 43.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • RPI 12.1%
  • Union College 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • RPI 1440
  • Union College 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • RPI 32
  • Union College 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • RPI 3.88
  • Union College 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • RPI A
  • Union College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • RPI Exceptional
  • Union College Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • RPI Low
  • Union College Low
  • SAT range
  • RPI 1375-1510
  • Union College 1310-1480
  • ACT range
  • RPI 30-34
  • Union College 29-33
  • Submit test scores
  • RPI Test optional
  • Union College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • RPI Jan 15, 2027
  • Union College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • Union College $69,039
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • RPI $64,081
  • Union College $69,039
  • Room & board
  • RPI $18,120
  • Union College $17,010
  • Average net price
  • RPI $38,887
  • Union College $42,137
  • Average grant aid
  • RPI $43,517
  • Union College $42,534
  • % receiving grant aid
  • RPI 95%
  • Union College 96%
  • Graduation rate
  • RPI 84%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • RPI $82,500
  • Union College $74,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • RPI 92%
  • Union College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • RPI $27,500
  • Union College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • RPI $284
  • Union College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • RPI 14:1
  • Union College 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • RPI
    • Engineering (53%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
    • Business (8%)
    • Engineering Technology (5%)
    • Architecture (5%)
  • Union College
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Biology (14%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Physical Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • RPI Troy, NY
  • Union College Schenectady, NY
  • Setting
  • RPI Small City
  • Union College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • RPI 7,040
  • Union College 2,065
  • Type
  • RPI Private 4 Year
  • Union College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • RPI #130
  • Union College #84

Comparable Facts

Compare Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY with Union College in Schenectady, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is larger than Union College based on total student enrollment (7,040 students vs. 2,065 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Union College is in Schenectady, NY (Small City setting).
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 14:1; Union College 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union College are 6.1% lower than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ($17,010 vs. $18,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Union College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (about $4,958 more per year; $69,039 vs. $64,081).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union College than at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (96% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Union College students ($43,517 vs. $42,534).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at RPI than at Union College (32 vs. 31, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both RPI and Union College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: RPI Jan 15, 2027; Union College Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at RPI average a 3.88 high school GPA, 0.38 higher than at Union College (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at RPI vs. 13.9% at Union College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Union College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than RPI graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, Union College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RPI graduates ($279 vs. $284).
  • More RPI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union College students, three years after graduation (92% 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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