Founded 1795, Union College is a premier private liberal arts college known for engineering excellence and undergraduate research.
Union College offers over 60 majors and minors across 21 academic departments, with particular strength in engineering and sciences. The college operates on a three-term academic calendar, allowing students to take three courses per term and meet with advisors 50% more frequently than typical colleges. Most undergraduates complete a minimum of 36 term courses, though engineering programs may require up to 40. Eighty percent of students complete a faculty-mentored senior thesis or capstone project, with many presenting at the annual Steinmetz Symposium. Undergraduate research is embedded across all disciplines, supported by funded summer opportunities since 1986.
The 120-acre urban campus in Schenectady features the iconic Nott Memorial (a National Historic Landmark), Schaffer Library with 750,000 books, and Jackson's Garden comprising 8 acres of formal gardens. The college hosts 130+ student clubs and organizations. Fraternity and sorority life is significant, with 33% of female students and 24% of male students in Greek organizations as of fall 2021. Union is home to six national fraternities and multiple sororities, and historically founded three of the earliest Greek-letter fraternities in America.
For the Class of 2029, Union received 9,249 applications with a 43.5% acceptance rate. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted freshmen was 1370–1490 (math + reading), with ACT composite scores of 31–34. The college offers multiple visit options including summer visit days, info sessions, interviews, virtual open houses, and day-in-the-life experiences. Interviews are encouraged for high school seniors and transfer students, available starting June 1.
Within six months of graduating, 97% of alumni are employed full-time, in graduate or professional school, or pursuing a post-graduate fellowship or public service opportunity. Union ranks #21 in U.S. News & World Report's engineering programs (non-doctoral) and #13 for early career earnings among liberal arts colleges. The college is ranked #40 in U.S. News liberal arts rankings and #148 by Forbes. Princeton Review lists Union in its Top 40 private colleges for return on investment.