Head-to-Head Comparison
Union College vs University of San Francisco
- Union Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 20
- San Francisco Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Union College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $34,561 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, Union College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Union
- Lower cost: Average net price of $34,561, roughly $6,870 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 83% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 44% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 1% more than Union College
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Union graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (21% of degrees); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). 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 University of San Francisco over Union College. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $88,604.
Pick Union College over University of San Francisco. Net price $34,561 vs $41,431.
Pick Union College over University of San Francisco. 83% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Union College and University of San Francisco are close on paper, but Union College 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 San Francisco takes 62%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,395 to 1,295.
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 $6,870 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of University of San Francisco also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $25,337.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $27,480 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, University of San Francisco graduates report median earnings of $89,812, compared with $88,604 at Union College. That is a 1% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of San Francisco has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 1% 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
Union College graduates a larger share of its students, 83% versus 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 12% 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 Union College to keep costs and debt down; pick University of San Francisco 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 $6,870 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $1,208 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 Social Sciences, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, while University of San Francisco leans toward Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Union College has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,431 runs well above Union College's $34,561.
- Engineering-focused students: Union College has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of San Francisco's enrollment of 5,287 far exceeds Union College's 2,046.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
San Francisco 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
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 San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Union College is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Union's top program is Sociology (21% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
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 San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Union College is strongest in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Humanities, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology. 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 San Francisco?
Union College is harder to get into, admitting 44% of applicants compared with 62% at University of San Francisco.
Which is more affordable, Union College or University of San Francisco?
Union College is more affordable, with an average net price of $34,561 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Union College or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, versus $88,604 at Union College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Union College or University of San Francisco?
Union College has the higher graduation rate, 83% versus 71%.
Should you choose Union College or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Union College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do Union and San Francisco stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
