Union College vs Clarkson University
Union College and Clarkson University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in New York State, offer distinct educational experiences. Union College, located in Schenectady, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 32%, indicating its selectivity. Clarkson University, situated in Potsdam, has a higher acceptance rate of 72%, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. While Union College excels in liberal arts and sciences, Clarkson University emphasizes engineering, business, and health sciences. Union College's student body is more diverse, with 40% female and 15% international students, while Clarkson University's student body is predominantly male (63%) and has a smaller international student population (10%). Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Union College at 88% and Clarkson University at 86%, indicating their commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions between these two exceptional universities and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Clarkson University |
![]() Union College |
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Overview |
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Location | Potsdam, New York | Schenectady, New York |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Trimester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 80.0% | 91.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 74.6% | 47.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
|
$60 |
SAT range | 1180 - 1380 | 1270 - 1450 |
ACT range | 25 - 32 | 28 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 37.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 16.0% |
Total number of applicants | 7,011 | 7,470 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,229 | 3,513 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 740 | 565 |
Yield rate | 14.2% | 16.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $74,716 | $77,385 |
Average net price | $31,413 | $39,101 |
Tuition | $53,100 | $61,308 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,726
Meal plan:
$7,518
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Room/dormitory:
$8,370
Meal plan:
$6,828
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $38,981 |
87.0%
Average amount $36,604 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
71.0%
Average amount $5,323 |
48.0%
Average amount $5,087 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $16,547 |
14.0%
Average amount $20,017 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
2,852
Men 69.3% Women 30.7% |
2,096
Men 54.9% Women 45.1% |
Graduate students |
1,101
Men 55.4% Women 44.6% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 34.8% | N/A |
International students | 8.6% | 9.8% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,482 | 2,049 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York Mississippi Connecticut Vermont New Hampshire | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 75.6% | 84.5% |
Dropout rate | 7.1% | 14.6% |
Transferred out | 17.1% | 0.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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