Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Schenectady, New York
43.8% Acceptance Rate
Union College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
43.8%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1410Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$81,627Annual Cost
$88,604Grad Salary
13.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
43.8%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1410
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1310–1480
ACT Middle 50%
30–33
Need-Based Aid
13.2% receive Pell
Union College Union College, founded in 1795 in Schenectady, New York, is one of the nation's oldest liberal arts colleges with a strong tradition in engineering. The 100-acre campus features a mix of historic and modern facilities, including the recently renovated Integrated Science and Engineering Complex. Union maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio and offers a distinctive trimester system that encourages intensive study and research. The college is particularly known for its accelerated law and medicine programs, as well as its innovative interdisciplinary majors.
Union takes pride in its balance of liberal arts and engineering, offering rare undergraduate opportunities in bioengineering, computer engineering, and mechanical engineering within a liberal arts context. Campus life includes NCAA Division I hockey and over 100 student clubs. Recent additions include the Henle Dance Pavilion and the Wold Center for artificial intelligence research. Union's combination of academic flexibility, undergraduate research opportunities, and historic campus creates a dynamic liberal arts experience with unique STEM strengths.
Union College Acceptance Rate
Union College is selective but reasonable: about 43.8% of applicants (44 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What Union College Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 43.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Union College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Union College (Early Decision I — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Early Action
November 1
Early Decision II
January 15
Regular Decision
January 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Union College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Union College is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.70–3.90.Union College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No supplemental essay required - only the Common App or Coalition App personal statement.
- SAT code 2920, ACT code 2970; test-optional except for Leadership in Medicine and 3+3 Accelerated Law applicants.
- Optional Research Interest Form appears in the portal post-application.
- Average admitted GPA is roughly 3.5 (unweighted).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Union College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Union College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Union College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Union College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Union College Without SAT or ACT?
Union College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Union College Average SAT Score: 1410
Admitted students at Union College average a 1410 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1410 — Very Competitive
Union College's SAT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1480 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Union College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1310? A retake is worth it at Union College — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 710 | 660 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 685 | 650 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1410 | 1310 | 1480 |
A score under 1310 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1480+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Union College with a 1500 SAT?
At 1500, your SAT is squarely in Union College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Union College ACT Requirements
Union College's admitted students average an ACT of 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
Union College's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 27 | 32 |
| ACT English | 32 | 29 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 30 | 33 |
Can I get into Union College with a 33 ACT?
At 33, you're in the top quarter of Union College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Union College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Union College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Union College, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant — that's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Skip writing a "Why Union" supplement, because there isn't one
Union doesn't require any supplemental essays, only the Common App or Coalition App personal essay. Don't waste time drafting a "why us" essay nobody will read. Put that energy into a stronger personal statement instead.
Fill out the optional Research Interest Form
After applying, your portal unlocks an optional Research Interest Form. Union's identity leans heavily on undergraduate research, so completing this signals genuine fit even though it's not required. Skipping it is a missed, free chance to stand out.
Decide early if you want Leadership in Medicine or 3+3 Law
Union is test-optional for everyone except applicants to the Leadership in Medicine or 3+3 Accelerated Law programs, who must submit scores. If either program interests you, plan your testing timeline now, not after you've already gone test-optional.
Lean on rigor signals since there's no interview
With no required essay or interview beyond the Common App, your transcript rigor (AP/IB/honors course load) and counselor recommendation carry outsized weight. Ask your counselor to speak specifically to intellectual curiosity, which Union's holistic reviewers look for.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes assume "no supplemental essay" means a lighter review. It doesn't: Union is holistic and selective (average admitted GPA around 3.5), so the personal statement and transcript have to carry more weight than at schools with multiple supplements.
Union College Profile
Full Name
Union College
City
Schenectady
State
New York
ZIP Code
12308-2311
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Union College Degree Worth It?
Whether Union College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $79,200, and graduates see a 3.16% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Union College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $81,627/year at Union College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Union College, 13.2% receive a Pell Grant and 44.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Union College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Union College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Union College graduates report a median income of $88,604, about 118% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Union College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Union College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Union College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Union College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Union College Admissions
Graduates of Union College earn a high median salary — $88,604/year, varying by field.
Tuition at Union College runs high — roughly $81,627+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
13.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Union College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Union College's acceptance rate is 43.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Union College students is 3.5, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.2 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Union College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.1 or below makes admission tougher at Union College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Union College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1410, and within the 1310–1480 range, keeps you competitive.
Union College's deadline is November 1 (Early Decision I).
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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