Union College vs Connecticut College

Union College and Connecticut College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Union, located in Schenectady, New York, boasts a higher acceptance rate (33%) compared to Connecticut College's (29%). Union's student body is slightly larger, with an undergraduate population of 2,180 compared to Connecticut College's 1,860. While both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, Union is known for its strength in engineering and pre-professional programs, while Connecticut College excels in the humanities and social sciences. With a graduation rate of 88%, Union has a slight edge over Connecticut College's 86% graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which college aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Connecticut College	Union College
Overview
Location	New London, Connecticut	Schenectady, New York
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Trimester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	41.0%	47.0%
Application fees		$60
SAT range	1333 - 1476	1270 - 1450
ACT range	30 - 33	28 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	12.0%	37.0%
Students submitting ACT score	10.0%	16.0%
Total number of applicants	7,682	7,470
Total number of admissions given out	3,146	3,513
Admitted students who chose to enroll	492	565
Yield rate	15.6%	16.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$80,575	$77,385
Average net price	$44,820	$39,101
Tuition	$60,420	$61,308
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,690 Meal plan: $7,090	Room/dormitory: $8,370 Meal plan: $6,828
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $32,882	87.0% Average amount $36,604
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $4,933	48.0% Average amount $5,087
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $21,449	14.0% Average amount $20,017

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,829 Men 40.7% Women 59.3%	2,096 Men 54.9% Women 45.1%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	85.0%	N/A
International students	8.9%	9.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	1,784	2,049
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Mississippi New York Connecticut New Jersey California	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Social Sciences Ethnic Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Foreign Languages and Literatures Visual & Performing Arts	Social Sciences Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Psychology Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	81.0%	84.5%
Dropout rate	18.8%	14.6%
Transferred out	N/A	0.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,308 Year 2: $54,522 Year 3: $66,698 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,434 Year 2: $45,696 Year 3: $54,040 Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $46,272 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,919 Year 2: $32,284 Year 3: $41,034 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,642 Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: $39,884 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,171 Year 2: $36,312 Year 3: $37,344 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,808 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,970 Year 2: $28,881 Year 3: N/A Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,342 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,637 Year 2: $67,812 Year 3: $76,098 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,348 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $74,456 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,171 Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $54,902 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,157 Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: $47,142 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,375 Year 2: $34,081 Year 3: $44,570 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,903 Year 2: $39,585 Year 3: $41,845 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: N/A Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: N/A Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,392 Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $20,824 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Union College and Connecticut College?

Union College emphasizes a strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on interdisciplinary studies and a well-regarded engineering program. Connecticut College also offers a robust liberal arts curriculum, but it is particularly known for its emphasis on self-directed learning, a strong commitment to social justice, and its innovative programs like the Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy.
How do the campus environments differ between Union College and Connecticut College?

Union College boasts a classic, historic campus in Schenectady, New York, with a blend of traditional architecture and modern facilities. It has a more urban feel due to its proximity to the city. Connecticut College, located in New London, Connecticut, offers a beautiful, more rural campus setting with a strong emphasis on its natural surroundings and access to the coast.
What is the student body like at Union College versus Connecticut College?

Both colleges attract a diverse student body. Union College has a slightly larger undergraduate population. Connecticut College is known for its close-knit community and a student body that is often described as socially conscious and engaged. Both schools have a good mix of students from various backgrounds and geographic locations.
How do the social scenes compare at Union College and Connecticut College?

Union College's social scene benefits from its location near Schenectady, offering students access to off-campus activities and a more active Greek life. Connecticut College's social life is centered more on campus events and activities, fostering a strong sense of community. Both colleges offer a variety of clubs, organizations, and social events to cater to different interests.
What are the strengths of the career services at Union College and Connecticut College?

Both colleges provide career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Union College's career services often leverage its strong alumni network, particularly in engineering and business. Connecticut College's career services are known for their focus on experiential learning and helping students find opportunities aligned with their interests in social justice and environmental fields.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Union College and Connecticut College?

The overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is generally comparable at both institutions. However, financial aid packages can vary depending on individual circumstances. It's recommended to check the net price calculators on each college's website to get a personalized estimate of costs.
What are the athletic programs like at Union College and Connecticut College?

Both Union College and Connecticut College are members of NCAA Division III. Union College has a strong athletic program with a wide range of varsity sports, including ice hockey, which is particularly popular. Connecticut College also offers a variety of varsity sports, with a focus on a balanced athletic and academic experience.
Which college is better for students interested in engineering?

Union College has a well-established and highly regarded engineering program, making it a strong choice for students interested in this field. While Connecticut College does not have a dedicated engineering program, it offers strong science programs and opportunities for interdisciplinary study that may appeal to students with related interests.
Which college is a better fit for students interested in social justice and community engagement?

Connecticut College is particularly well-suited for students interested in social justice and community engagement, with its strong emphasis on these areas in its curriculum and extracurricular activities. Union College also offers opportunities for community involvement, but Connecticut College's focus is more pronounced.
How do the locations of Union College and Connecticut College impact the student experience?

Union College's location in Schenectady, New York, provides students with access to a city environment, cultural events, and internship opportunities. Connecticut College's location in New London, Connecticut, offers a more coastal and natural environment, with access to beaches, outdoor recreation, and proximity to larger cities like Boston and New York City.

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