Head-to-Head Comparison
Boston College vs Union College
- Boston Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 22
- Union Wins
- 8
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Union College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Boston College achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,704 compared to Union College's $34,561 for in-state paths. Students who choose Union College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $88,604 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Boston
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than Union College
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 16% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Union
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,561, roughly $7,143 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Boston graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (23% of degrees); Union in Social Sciences (21%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Boston College over Union College. Median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment vs $88,604.
Pick Union College over Boston College. Net price $34,561 vs $41,704.
Pick Boston College over Union College. 91% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Boston College and Union College are close on paper, but Boston College wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Boston College is the harder admit. It takes 16% of applicants, while Union College takes 44%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,507 to 1,395.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Boston College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Union College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $34,561, about $7,143 a year below Boston College's $41,704. Graduates of Boston College also borrow less: median debt of $19,000, against $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $28,572 before any change in aid. Choosing Union College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Boston College graduates report median earnings of $103,937, compared with $88,604 at Union College. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, Boston College has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Boston College graduates a larger share of its students, 91% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Union College to keep costs and debt down; pick Boston College for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Union College saves about $7,143 a year, yet Boston College graduates earn $15,333 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Boston College concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Union College leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,704 runs well above Union College's $34,561.
- Engineering-focused students: Union College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Boston College's enrollment of 10,085 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,337, against $19,000 at Boston College.
- Business and consulting-track students: Union College has less business program depth, and Boston College offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Boston offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Union does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 16%, Boston College attracts students who are academically driven and ready to engage deeply with their studies. The school excels in areas like Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, and Psychology, among others. If you’re looking for a community that values both rigorous academics and a strong sense of tradition, this is a place where you can thrive.
Once you graduate, you can expect to make, on average, $103,937 after ten years in the workforce. That’s a solid figure that speaks to the value of a degree from Boston College. Students who study here often find themselves well-prepared for the job market, which is crucial as we consider our financial futures. The blend of a strong curriculum and a supportive network can lead to successful career paths.
Looking at the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $41,704, and students typically graduate with a median debt of $19,000. This debt load is manageable for many, especially considering the earning potential after graduation. Boston College tends to attract students who are ready to invest in their education and take full advantage of the opportunities available, paving the way for both personal and professional growth.
Union College
Schenectady, NY · Private nonprofit
Union College is a solid choice for students interested in a diverse range of studies, particularly in social sciences, engineering, biology, and psychology. With an enrollment of about 2,046 students and an acceptance rate of 44%, it strikes a balance between being accessible and maintaining a close-knit community. The graduation rate of 83% reflects a supportive environment where students tend to thrive and complete their degrees.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, students from Union College can expect a median earning of $88,604 within ten years of finishing their degree. This level of earning power suggests that graduates are well-prepared for the job market, with many finding roles that allow them to grow both personally and professionally. The affordability factor also plays a role in this, as financial burdens are important to consider when thinking about long-term success.
The financial bottom line shows a net price of $34,561 after aid, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. With a median debt of $25,337, students can graduate with a reasonable financial outlook, especially relative to their earning potential. Those who tend to thrive at Union are likely to be motivated, engaged, and ready to take on the academic rigor of the programs offered, all while enjoying the vibrant community atmosphere in Schenectady.
Rankings They Appear On
Boston College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Boston's top program is Business Administration (23% of enrollment), while Union leads with Sociology (21%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Boston) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union).
The two schools feed different job markets. Boston College is strongest in Business & Marketing, Psychology, while Union College concentrates in Engineering, Humanities. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Boston College or Union College?
Boston College is harder to get into, admitting 16% of applicants compared with 44% at Union College.
Which is more affordable, Boston College or Union College?
Union College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,561 after aid versus $41,704 at Boston College.
Do Boston College or Union College graduates earn more?
Boston College graduates earn more: median earnings of $103,937 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,604 at Union College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Boston College or Union College?
Boston College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 83%.
Should you choose Boston College or Union College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Union College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Boston College if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Boston and Union stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
