Union College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Union College charges a net price of $34,561/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $138,244. Graduates earn a median $88,604 ten years after entry, $40,244/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.4 years — a 20-year net return of $666,636, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Union College's 3.4-year payback ranks #222 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 83% of them, and #28 of 203 in New York.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $34,561/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $138,244 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $88,604 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $40,244/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,337 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $666,636 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Union College's own numbers. Net price $34,561 × 4 years = $138,244 total. Median earnings $88,604 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $40,244 a year of premium. $138,244 ÷ $40,244 = 3.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $666,636. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Union College students graduate with?
A median $25,337 in federal loans among completers, or 29% of the $88,604 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Union College students graduate?
80% finish their degree. Spread the $138,244 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $172,805 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Union College expensive compared with other New York colleges?
Its $34,561 net price runs $15,648 above the $18,913 median across the 203 New York colleges we profile, or $62,592 more across the full degree.