Head-to-Head Comparison
The University of Texas at Austin vs Union College
- Texas Austin Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 19
- Union Wins
- 9
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, The University of Texas at Austin offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $19,857 vs Union College's $34,561, The University of Texas at Austin delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, The University of Texas at Austin's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Texas Austin
- Lower cost: Average net price of $19,857, roughly $14,704 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 27% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Union
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, 18% more than The University of Texas at Austin
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Texas Austin graduates concentrate in Engineering (10% 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 The University of Texas at Austin. Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment vs $75,121.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Union College. Net price $19,857 vs $34,561.
Pick The University of Texas at Austin over Union College. 88% completion rate vs 83%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
The University of Texas at Austin and Union College are close on paper, but The University of Texas at Austin 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
The University of Texas at Austin is the harder admit. It takes 27% of applicants, while Union College takes 44%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,395 to 1,395.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, The University of Texas at Austin 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, The University of Texas at Austin comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $19,857, about $14,704 a year below Union College's $34,561. Graduates of The University of Texas at Austin also borrow less: median debt of $20,500, against $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $58,816 before any change in aid. Choosing The University of Texas at Austin 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 $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. That is a 18% advantage. Set against borrowing, The University of Texas at Austin has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.27x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 18% 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
The University of Texas at Austin graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 83%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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 The University of Texas at Austin 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. The University of Texas at Austin saves about $14,704 a year, yet Union College graduates earn $13,483 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. The University of Texas at Austin concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Union College leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: The University of Texas at Austin's enrollment of 42,855 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $34,561 runs well above The University of Texas at Austin's $19,857.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,337, against $20,500 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 2 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
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
The University of Texas at Austin is home to over 42,000 students who are drawn to its strong programs in fields like Biology, Engineering, Business, Communications, and Computer Science. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it’s a competitive environment that suits those ready to engage deeply in their studies and campus life. The vibrant city of Austin enhances this experience, offering a unique blend of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities that appeal to students looking for both academic and personal growth.
After graduation, students can expect solid earning potential, with a median salary of around $75,121 ten years post-degree. This financial outcome reflects the value of the education received here and the demand for graduates in the job market. The affordability factor is significant as well; even with a net price of $19,857, many students find support through financial aid, helping to ease the transition into the workforce.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending UT Austin, students typically graduate with a median debt of $20,500. This manageable debt level, combined with the strong earning potential, makes the financial landscape here more accessible. Students who tend to thrive at UT Austin are those who embrace the challenges and opportunities of a large public university, taking advantage of the resources available while actively participating in the diverse and dynamic community.
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
The University of Texas at Austin is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Texas ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Texas Austin's top program is Mechanical Engineering (10% 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 Texas Austin) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union).
The two schools feed different job markets. The University of Texas at Austin is strongest in Business & Marketing, Communications, while Union College concentrates in Social Sciences, 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 The University of Texas at Austin or Union College?
The University of Texas at Austin is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 44% at Union College.
Which is more affordable, The University of Texas at Austin or Union College?
The University of Texas at Austin is more affordable, with an average net price of $19,857 after aid versus $34,561 at Union College.
Do The University of Texas at Austin or Union College graduates earn more?
Union College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, versus $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin.
Which has a better graduation rate, The University of Texas at Austin or Union College?
The University of Texas at Austin has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 83%.
Should you choose The University of Texas at Austin or Union College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose The University of Texas at Austin 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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