Head-to-Head Comparison
Emory University vs Union College
- Emory Wins
- 26
- Tied
- 20
- Union Wins
- 8
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Emory University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $22,585 vs Union College's $34,561, Emory University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Emory University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Emory
- Lower cost: Average net price of $22,585, roughly $11,976 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,250, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 11% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Union
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, 11% more than Emory University
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Emory 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 Union College over Emory University. Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment vs $80,137.
Pick Emory University over Union College. Net price $22,585 vs $34,561.
Pick Emory University 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
Emory University and Union College are close on paper, but Emory University 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
Emory University is the harder admit. It takes 11% of applicants, while Union College takes 44%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,395.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Emory University 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, Emory University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $22,585, about $11,976 a year below Union College's $34,561. Graduates of Emory University also borrow less: median debt of $18,250, against $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $47,904 before any change in aid. Choosing Emory University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Union College graduates report median earnings of $88,604, compared with $80,137 at Emory University. That is a 11% advantage. Set against borrowing, Emory University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 11% 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
Emory University 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 9% 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 Emory University to keep costs and debt down; pick Union 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. Emory University saves about $11,976 a year, yet Union College graduates earn $8,467 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. Emory University 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
- Engineering-focused students: Union College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Emory University's enrollment of 7,298 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $34,561 runs well above Emory University's $22,585.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,337, against $18,250 at Emory University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Union College has less business program depth, and Emory University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Emory 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
Emory University
Atlanta, GA · Private nonprofit
Emory University has an impressive graduation rate of 91%. This high percentage reflects the strong support systems in place for students and their ability to successfully navigate their academic journeys. With an acceptance rate of just 11%, Emory attracts a competitive pool of applicants, ensuring a diverse and engaged student body.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Emory's graduates earn a median salary of $80,137 ten years after enrollment. This earning potential suggests that students are well-prepared for the job market, particularly in fields like business, health professions, and social sciences. While detailed mobility rates are not available, the strong outcomes indicate that students from various socioeconomic backgrounds can succeed here.
The net price for attending Emory is $22,585, with a median debt of $18,250. This financial framework allows many students to graduate with manageable debt levels. Emory is ideal for motivated students who thrive in an academically rigorous environment and seek strong career outcomes post-graduation.
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
Emory University is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Emory'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 Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Emory) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union).
The two schools feed different job markets. Emory University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, 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.
Emory
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Emory University or Union College?
Emory University is harder to get into, admitting 11% of applicants compared with 44% at Union College.
Which is more affordable, Emory University or Union College?
Emory University is more affordable, with an average net price of $22,585 after aid versus $34,561 at Union College.
Do Emory University or Union College graduates earn more?
Union College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,137 at Emory University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Emory University or Union College?
Emory University has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 83%.
Should you choose Emory University or Union College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Emory University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Union 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.
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