Union College vs RPI Troy
Union College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, two esteemed institutions of higher learning in New York State, offer distinct educational experiences. Union College, a liberal arts college, boasts a lower acceptance rate (24%) compared to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (48%), a research university. While Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute excels in engineering and technology programs, Union College offers a broader range of majors, including the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Union College fosters a diverse student body, with 44% female and 17% international students, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's student body is predominantly male (63%) and domestic (87%). Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Union College at 88% and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at 86%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions and determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
![]() Union College |
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Overview |
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Location | Troy, New York | Barbourville, Kentucky |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 60.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 53.0% | 56.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1360 - 1520 | 955 - 1148 |
ACT range | 32 - 34 | 16 - 22 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | 6.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 15.0% | 84.0% |
Total number of applicants | 17,498 | 723 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,277 | 408 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,322 | 140 |
Yield rate | 14.3% | 34.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not 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 | $77,763 | $41,789 |
Average net price | $40,070 | $15,690 |
Tuition | $57,100 | $27,119 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,119
Meal plan:
$7,260
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Room/dormitory:
$2,800
Meal plan:
$3,900
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $35,754 |
98.0%
Average amount $22,966 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,116 |
71.0%
Average amount $5,976 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $24,172 |
10.0%
Average amount $5,676 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,614
Men 69.0% Women 31.0% |
789
Men 53.0% Women 47.0% |
Graduate students |
1,160
Men 69.1% Women 30.9% |
235
Men 45.1% Women 54.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 19.5% | 11.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 3,930 | 437 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Middle States Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 84.2% | 37.1% |
Dropout rate | 14.9% | 27.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | 35.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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