Union at a Glance

For more than two centuries, Union College has been defining—and continually redefining—what it means to provide a liberal arts education. Since 1795, we've been challenging convention, blurring boundaries and shaking up traditional thinking.

Profile

Founded in 1795 as the first planned campus in the United States, Union College is a highly selective, private, liberal arts college with engineering that is consistently ranked among the nation's top colleges. Set on 100 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

• 2,133 full-time undergraduates from 40 states and territories and 40 countries
• 49% women and 51% men (overall)
• 10:1 student-faculty ratio
• 213 faculty members; 96% have earned a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field

Academics

• Trimester system (three 10-week terms) with extended winter break
• Average introductory class size: 20; upper level class size: 11
• A wealth of interdisciplinary and interdepartmental programs and majors
• 60% of all students have an international experience
• Accelerated programs (students earn two or more degrees) include Leadership in Medicine, Law & Public Policy

Outside the Classroom

• All students belong to a Minerva House, seven lively hubs for academic, social, residential and leadership activities
• 12 student-run theme houses
• 100 campus clubs
• 16 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

Class of 2016

• 591 students
• 18% students from diverse backgrounds
• 7% international
• 40% Early Decision students
• Average SAT for enrolled students is 1940 (640/660/640)
• Average ACT for enrolled students is 30 

Cost & Financial Aid

• More than $32 million in scholarships awarded directly from Union each year
• More than 60% of all Union students receive financial assistance from the College
• The average need-based scholarship is $29,000
• 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 (to note just a few)
• 61% of alumni go on to full-time employment after graduation; 29% pursue graduate study; 6% travel; the rest pursue fellowships, volunteer work and other interests