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Head-to-Head Comparison

Rutgers University-New Brunswick vs Union College

Rutgers University-New Wins
20
Tied
10
Union Wins
11

Direct Answer

For overall financial value, Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $24,406 vs Union College's $34,561, Rutgers University-New Brunswick delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Rutgers University-New Brunswick's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.

41 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS

When to Pick Each School

Rutgers University-New

  • Lower cost: Average net price of $24,406, roughly $10,155 a year less
  • Less debt: Median debt of $21,500, the lower of the two

Union

  • Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, 19% more than Rutgers University-New Brunswick
  • More selective: Admits 44% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group

The Actual Decision

What are you really choosing between?

Rutgers University-New graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (19% of degrees); Union in Social Sciences (21%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.

If you want… Choose
Business & entrepreneurship Rutgers University-New
Economics & public policy Union
Lab & physical sciences Union
Computer science & AI Rutgers University-New
Humanities & writing Union
Engineering Union
Communications & media Rutgers University-New
Pre-med & health Either
Psychology Either

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?

Maximizing post-grad earnings → Union College

Pick Union College over Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment vs $74,479.

Keeping costs down → Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Pick Rutgers University-New Brunswick over Union College. Net price $24,406 vs $34,561.

Key Metrics at a Glance

Graduation Rate

84%
Rutgers University-New
vs
83%
Union

Earnings (10yr)

$74,479
Rutgers University-New
vs
$88,604
Union

Avg Net Price

$24,406
Rutgers University-New
vs
$34,561
Union

Median Debt

$21,500
Rutgers University-New
vs
$25,337
Union

The Analysis

Verdict

Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Union College are close on paper, but Rutgers University-New Brunswick 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 Rutgers University-New Brunswick takes 58%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,410 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, Rutgers University-New Brunswick comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $24,406, about $10,155 a year below Union College's $34,561. Graduates of Rutgers University-New Brunswick also borrow less: median debt of $21,500, against $25,337.

So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $40,620 before any change in aid. Choosing Rutgers University-New Brunswick 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 $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. That is a 19% advantage.

So what: An earnings gap of 19% 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 Rutgers University-New Brunswick 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. Rutgers University-New Brunswick saves about $10,155 a year, yet Union College graduates earn $14,125 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. Rutgers University-New Brunswick concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, while Union College leans toward Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Rutgers University-New Not for everyone
  • Engineering-focused students: Union College has the stronger engineering programs.
  • Students who want a smaller campus: Rutgers University-New Brunswick's enrollment of 37,751 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
Union Not for everyone
  • Cost-conscious students: net price of $34,561 runs well above Rutgers University-New Brunswick's $24,406.
  • Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,337, against $21,500 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
  • STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Union College's enrollment, and Rutgers University-New Brunswick is stronger here.
  • Business and consulting-track students: Union College has less business program depth, and Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers the stronger options.

Full Data Breakdown

Inside the admissions office

Union offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Rutgers University-New 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
Public
Type
Private nonprofit
Urban
Setting
Urban
Mid-Atlantic
Region
Mid-Atlantic
37,751
Enrollment
2,046
No
HBCU
No
Admissions
4 metrics
58%
Acceptance Rate
44%
1410
SAT Average
1395
30
ACT Midpoint
30
1310-1500
SAT Range
1310-1480
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set)
1 metrics
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Cost & Financial Aid
9 metrics
$17,929
In-State Tuition
$69,039
$37,441
Out-of-State Tuition
$69,039
$24,406
Average Net Price
$34,561
$16,343
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$11,776
$16,210
Net Price ($30-48K)
$16,415
$18,282
Net Price ($48-75K)
$23,941
$35,016
Net Price ($110K+)
$45,017
28%
Pell Grant Rate
14%
35%
Federal Loan Rate
44%
Academics
5 metrics
84%
Graduation Rate
83%
93%
Retention Rate
90%
53%
Full-Time Faculty
90%
$14,593
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$12,031
35%
First-Gen Students
13%
Student Body
6 metrics
55%
Female
50%
30%
White
63%
16%
Hispanic
11%
7%
Black
4%
34%
Asian
7%
0.76
Diversity Index
0.57
Outcomes
6 metrics
$61,263
Earnings (6yr)
$63,219
$67,665
Earnings (8yr)
$81,488
$74,479
Earnings (10yr)
$88,604
$21,500
Median Debt
$25,337
0.29x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.29x
76%
Earning Above HS Grad
82%
Social Capital
3 metrics
1.76
Economic Connectedness
1.83
0.02
Friending Bias
-0.00
7.4%
Volunteering Rate
8.2%
Online Education (IPEDS)
2 metrics
9.9%
% Exclusively Online
64.4%
% Any Online

The Overviews

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public

58% accept 84% grad $74,479 earnings $24,406 net

With an enrollment of over 37,000 students, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a great fit for those who thrive in a vibrant, diverse environment. The school stands out for its strong programs in Business and Marketing, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Professions, and Biology. If you're looking to dive into a field with solid job prospects and a supportive academic community, this could be your place.

When we look at what happens after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates earn an average of $74,479 within a decade of finishing their degrees. That’s a solid return on investment, especially when you consider the affordability of Rutgers. The net price after financial aid is $24,406, which is reasonable given the earning potential. This environment supports students not just in their studies, but in launching successful careers.

Now, let’s talk about the practical side of things. With a median debt of $21,500, students often leave with manageable loans, especially if they utilize financial aid options. The blend of affordability and strong career outcomes suggests that students who put in the effort here tend to thrive, especially those who are driven and engaged. If you're ready to take on challenges and make the most of your education, Rutgers can be a great stepping stone to your future.

Union College

Schenectady, NY · Private nonprofit

44% accept 83% grad $88,604 earnings $34,561 net

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

Union College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology ranking.

Explore all rankings →

Top Degree Programs

Rutgers University-New's top program is Business Administration (19% of enrollment), while Union leads with Sociology (21%).

Career Pathways

Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rutgers University-New) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union).

The two schools feed different job markets. Rutgers University-New Brunswick is strongest in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, while Union College concentrates in Social Sciences, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it harder to get into Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Union College?

Union College is harder to get into, admitting 44% of applicants compared with 58% at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Which is more affordable, Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Union College?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is more affordable, with an average net price of $24,406 after aid versus $34,561 at Union College.

Do Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Union College graduates earn more?

Union College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, versus $74,479 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Which has a better graduation rate, Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Union College?

Rutgers University-New Brunswick has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 83%.

Should you choose Rutgers University-New Brunswick or Union College?

It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rutgers University-New Brunswick 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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