Skip to content

Stony Brook University vs Union College

Stony Brook University is a public university in Stony Brook, NY. Union College is a private college in Schenectady, NY. Union College admits about 44% of applicants and Stony Brook University about 49%, making Union College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $18,784 a year at Stony Brook University after aid, and about $34,561 at Union College. About 83% of students graduate at Union College, compared with 77% at Stony Brook University. Ten years after enrolling, Union College alumni earn a median of about $88,604, against $74,502 for Stony Brook University.

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY · Public

Union College

Schenectady, NY · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Stony Brook, NY
Schenectady, NY
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
18,101
2,046
Acceptance rate
49%
44%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1330–1500
1310–1480
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
29–33
Test policy
Considered
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$18,784
$34,561
Full cost / yr
$30,539
$84,561
In-state tuition
$10,931
$69,039
Out-of-state tuition
$32,741
$69,039
Application fee
$50
$60
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,943
$11,776
$30k - $48k
$15,432
$16,415
$48k - $75k
$20,728
$23,941
$75k - $110k
$23,424
$34,100
Over $110k
$27,716
$45,017
Outcomes
Graduation rate
77%
83%
Freshman retention
90%
90%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$59,492
$63,219
Median earnings (10 yr)
$74,502
$88,604
Median debt at graduation
$18,228
$25,337
Student body
Pell grant recipients
39%
14%
First-generation students
36%
13%
International students
9%
11%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 15

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Stony Brook University or Union College harder to get into?
Union College is harder to get into. It admits about 44% of applicants, compared with 49% at Stony Brook University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Stony Brook University or Union College?
Stony Brook University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $18,784 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $34,561 at Union College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Stony Brook University and Union College?
Before aid, Stony Brook University costs about $30,539 a year and Union College about $84,561. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Stony Brook University or Union College?
Union College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,776 there, against about $12,943 at Stony Brook University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Stony Brook University or Union College?
Stony Brook University is the larger of the two, with about 18,101 undergraduates against 2,046 at Union College.
Does Stony Brook University or Union College have a better graduation rate?
Union College has the higher graduation rate, at about 83% against 77% at Stony Brook University.
Do graduates of Stony Brook University or Union College earn more?
Union College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $88,604 ten years after enrolling, against about $74,502 for Stony Brook University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Stony Brook University and Union College require SAT or ACT scores?
Stony Brook University considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Union College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Stony Brook University and Union College look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1330–1500 at Stony Brook University and 1310–1480 at Union College. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school