Union College
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. 51% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Union College is a private nonprofit institution located in Barbourville, Kentucky with approximately 736 undergraduate students enrolled. Union College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 55%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,906 per year. The graduation rate is 36%, and the typical graduate earns $36,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Union College is a private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, and second in the state of New York, after Columbia College. In the 19th century, it became known as the "Mother of Fraternities", because three of the earliest Greek-letter fraternities were established there. Union began enrolling women in 1970, after 175 years as an all-male institution. The college offers a liberal arts curriculum across 21 academic departments, including ABET-accredited engineering degree programs.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: with only a 36% graduation rate and a 57% freshman retention rate, a significant portion of students don't make it through to a degree, which is a real concern worth discussing before enrolling. The relatively low median debt of $14,250 is a bright spot, but median earnings of $36,400 a decade out make it worth honestly questioning the return on investment. This may be worth considering for students who need an accessible, smaller Christian-affiliated environment in Kentucky, but families should ask hard questions about the academic and financial support structures in place.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (736 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY · Public
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY · Public
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY · Public
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · Public
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · Public
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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