University at Albany vs Union College: which has better ROI?
Union College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $138,244 in 3.4 years versus 3.5 years at University at Albany, on median earnings of $88,604 vs $67,979 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University at Albany | Union College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,167 | $34,561 |
| Total net cost | $68,668 | $138,244 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $67,979 | $88,604 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $25,337 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | 3.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $323,712 | $666,636 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University at Albany or Union College?
University at Albany, at $17,167 a year after aid versus $34,561 — a gap of $17,394 a year, or $69,576 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University at Albany or Union College graduates earn more?
Union College graduates report a median $88,604 ten years after entry, $20,625 more than the $67,979 at University at Albany. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University at Albany or Union College?
University at Albany: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $25,337 at Union College, a difference of $5,837. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Union College, against 61% at University at Albany. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.