Head-to-Head Comparison
George Washington University vs Union College
- George Washington Wins
- 24
- Tied
- 19
- Union Wins
- 9
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Union College offers a significantly safer investment tier. While George Washington University achieves a higher graduation rate (85% vs 83%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $36,586 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.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
George Washington
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $90,873 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Union College
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,449, the lower of the two
Union
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,561, roughly $2,025 a year less
- More selective: Admits 44% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
George Washington graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (33% 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 George Washington University over Union College. Median earnings of $90,873 ten years after enrollment vs $88,604.
Pick Union College over George Washington University. Net price $34,561 vs $36,586.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
George Washington University and Union College are close on paper, but George Washington University wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Union College is the harder admit. It takes 44% of applicants, while George Washington University takes 47%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,433 to 1,395.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Union 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 $2,025 a year below George Washington University's $36,586. Graduates of George Washington University also borrow less: median debt of $20,449, against $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $8,100 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, George Washington University graduates report median earnings of $90,873, compared with $88,604 at Union College. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, George Washington University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.23x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Union College to keep costs and debt down; pick George Washington University 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 $2,025 a year, yet George Washington University graduates earn $2,269 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. George Washington University concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, while Union College leans toward Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. 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: George Washington University's enrollment of 11,182 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,337, against $20,449 at George Washington University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Union College has less business program depth, and George Washington University offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
George Washington 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) 4 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
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Private nonprofit
George Washington University reports a striking graduation rate of 85%. This figure reflects the university's commitment to student success and its supportive academic environment. With a significant portion of students completing their degrees, GWU stands out for those seeking reliable pathways to graduation.
The earnings potential for graduates is compelling. Alumni earn an average of $90,873 within ten years of graduation. This income level positions graduates well within the job market, contributing to long-term financial stability. Although specific mobility data is not available, the high graduation rate suggests that many students are likely to improve their economic circumstances through their education at GWU.
The net price for attending George Washington University is $36,586, with a median debt of $20,449. This balance makes it an appealing choice for students who can manage costs while aiming for solid post-graduate earnings. GWU attracts those interested in fields like social sciences, health professions, and business, where graduates find ample opportunities to thrive in Washington, D.C.'s dynamic job market.
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
George Washington University is featured on the Highest-Paying Online MBA Programs ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 33% of George Washington's student body and 21% of Union's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for George Washington) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union).
The two schools feed different job markets. George Washington University is strongest in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, while Union College concentrates in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, 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.
George Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into George Washington University or Union College?
Union College is harder to get into, admitting 44% of applicants compared with 47% at George Washington University.
Which is more affordable, George Washington University or Union College?
Union College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,561 after aid versus $36,586 at George Washington University.
Do George Washington University or Union College graduates earn more?
George Washington University graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,873 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,604 at Union College.
Which has a better graduation rate, George Washington University or Union College?
George Washington University has the higher graduation rate, 85% versus 83%.
Should you choose George Washington University or Union College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Union College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose George Washington University 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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