Schenectady, NY · Private University
Is Union College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$88,604
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$66,456
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$66,456
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$265,824
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.33x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
85.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$25,337
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$36,000
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Union College graduates earn $43,604 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Union College ranked by graduate earnings
74 graduates
42 graduates
34 graduates
23 graduates
27 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Union College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Union College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $85,922) and the lowest (Research and Experimental Psychology: $30,061) is $55,861/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $85,922 | 1.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,242 | 1.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $65,270 | 1.0x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering(1yr data) | $62,624 | 0.9x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $57,779 | 0.9x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $48,667 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental PsychologyLowest(1yr data) | $30,061 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union College | 1.33x | $88,604 | Average ROI |
| Trinity College | 1.35x | $90,779 | Average ROI |
| Connecticut College | 1.16x | $75,001 | Average ROI |
| Lafayette College | 1.46x | $91,410 | Average ROI |
| Franklin and Marshall College | 1.11x | $76,124 | Average ROI |
| Providence College | 1.43x | $87,054 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Union College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $88,604 10 years after starting — $43,604 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.