Head-to-Head Comparison
Union College vs University of Connecticut
- Union Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 20
- Connecticut Wins
- 20
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Connecticut offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $25,097 vs Union College's $34,561, University of Connecticut delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Connecticut's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Union
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, 20% more than University of Connecticut
- More selective: Admits 44% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,097, roughly $9,464 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $21,500, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Union graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (21% of degrees); Connecticut in Social Sciences (13%). 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 University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Connecticut over Union College. Net price $25,097 vs $34,561.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Union College and University of Connecticut are close on paper, but University of Connecticut 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 University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,395 to 1,348.
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, University of Connecticut comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,097, about $9,464 a year below Union College's $34,561. Graduates of University of Connecticut also borrow less: median debt of $21,500, against $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $37,856 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Connecticut 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 $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 20% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 20% 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 University of Connecticut 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. University of Connecticut saves about $9,464 a year, yet Union College graduates earn $14,607 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. Union College concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, while University of Connecticut leans toward Health Professions, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $34,561 runs well above University of Connecticut's $25,097.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,337, against $21,500 at University of Connecticut.
- Engineering-focused students: Union College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Connecticut's enrollment of 19,835 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Connecticut 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
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.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
More than 19,800 students call the University of Connecticut home, making it one of the largest public universities in New England. With an acceptance rate of 52%, it balances accessibility and selectivity, welcoming a diverse range of students to its Storrs campus.
Graduates from UConn see a strong return on investment, with a median earnings figure of $73,997 ten years after graduation. Although specific mobility rates are not available, the high graduation rate of 84% suggests that the majority of students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of positive outcomes for those who enroll.
Attending UConn costs an average net price of $25,097, while 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to helping lower-income students access higher education. With a median debt of $21,500, graduates leave with manageable financial burdens. Students thrive in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Engineering, where strong career paths are prevalent.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Connecticut is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 21% of Union's student body and 13% of Connecticut's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for Union) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut).
The two schools feed different job markets. Union College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Humanities, while University of Connecticut concentrates in Health Professions, Business & Marketing. 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.
Union
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Union College or University of Connecticut?
Union College is harder to get into, admitting 44% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, Union College or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,097 after aid versus $34,561 at Union College.
Do Union College or University of Connecticut graduates earn more?
Union College graduates earn more: median earnings of $88,604 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, Union College or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 83%.
Should you choose Union College or University of Connecticut?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Connecticut 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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