Union at a Glance

Profile

Founded in 1795 as the first planned campus in the United States, Union is a highly selective, private, liberal arts college with engineering that is consistently ranked among the nation’s top colleges. Set on 120 acres in downtown Schenectady, N.Y., including eight acres of formal gardens and woodland known as Jackson’s Garden, Union is within easy reach of New York City, Boston and Montreal, rural areas and major East Coast ski slopes.

Students & Faculty
  • 2,168 full-time undergraduates from 38 states, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 34 countries 
  • 49% women and 51% men (overall)
  • 10:1 student-faculty ratio
  • 207 faculty members; 95% have earned Ph.D. or higher degree
Academics
  • Trimester system (three 10-week terms) with extended winter break
  • Average introductory class size: 20; upper level class size: 15
  • 30 degree programs in 37 academic departments
  • A wealth of interdisciplinary and interdepartmental programs and majors
  • 61% of all students have an international experience.
  • Accelerated programs (students earn two or more degrees) include Leadership in Medicine, Law & Public Policy
Campus Community & Extracurriculars
  • All students belong to a Minerva House, seven lively hubs for academic, social, residential and leadership activities
  • 12 student-run theme houses
  • More than 100 campus clubs and activities 
  • 17 fraternities and sororities 
  • Community service opportunities in Schenectady and beyond
Athletics
  • Member of the ECAC Conference Hockey League, Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey
  • Athletes compete primarily in the NCAA Division III Liberty League (with Clarkson, Hamilton, Hobart and William Smith, RPI, University of Rochester, St. Lawrence, Skidmore and Vassar)
  • A third of all students participate in intercollegiate sports
  • 25 varsity programs and intramural and recreational athletics
School Color
  • Garnet
Class of 2013
  • 525 students
  • 20% students of color and 4% international
  • 39% early decision students
  • 74% attended public high schools
  • more than 60% received financial aid
  • Middle 50% SAT for admitted students 1980 (2400 scale)
  • Middle 50% SAT for enrolled students, 1920 (2400 scale) and 1210-1370 (1600 scale)
  • 4,825 applications received; 1,984 students admitted (41%)
Cost & Financial Aid
  • Tuition, fees, and room and board for the 2009-2010 academic year total $50,439.
  • Over 60% of all Union students received financial assistance from the College
  • The average need-based Union scholarship is $27,000
  • The average merit award is $10,000
     
Alumni
  • Leaders in all fields, including arts, medicine, science, engineering, media, entertainment, law and politics
  • Nobel Prize and Academy Award winners, a National Book Award winner and a McArthur Fellow, an Olympic Gold medalist, seven Cabinet secretaries, a secretary of state, 13 governors, 200 judges, 90 college presidents and the 21st president of the United States.
  • 35 % of alumni pursue graduate study
  • Some of our Distinguished Alumni