“Founded in 1795, Union College in Schenectady, New York, was the first college chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and one of the earlies”
Founded in 1795, Union College in Schenectady, New York, was the first college chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and one of the earliest non-denominational colleges in the nation. Union's mission emphasizes the integration of liberal arts with engineering and technology, a combination that has defined the college since it became one of the first liberal arts institutions to offer engineering in 1845. The college is dedicated to cultivating broadly educated citizens who can bridge the humanities, sciences, and technology—a philosophy embodied in its motto, 'Under the laws of the Union we all become one.'
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Undergraduate Engineering (no doctorate)
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision I
Binding. Decision by Dec 15.
Early Action
Non-binding. Decision in January.
Early Decision II
Binding. Decision in February.
Regular Decision
Decision by early April.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$69,039
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Union offers over 60 majors, minors, and programs, with particular strength at the intersection of liberal arts and engineering. Students can earn a B.S. in engineering through one of the few ABET-accredited engineering programs at a liberal arts college, or pursue combined programs like the Leadership in Medicine pathway with Albany Medical College and Union Graduate College. The college's interdisciplinary emphasis is reflected in programs like Digital Media, Bioengineering, and the Converging World initiative, which integrates global perspectives across the curriculum. Approximately 60% of students participate in study abroad through Union's extensive international programs spanning over 25 countries. The college also hosts the Kenney Community Center, connecting academic work with community engagement in the greater Schenectady region.
8 years
Union's signature partnership with Albany Medical College and Union Graduate College/Clarkson. Accepted students earn a bachelor's from Union, an MBA in health-systems management, and an MD in eight years. One of the nation's earliest combined BS/MD programs; SAT or ACT scores are REQUIRED for LIM applicants.
4 years
Four ABET-accredited majors. Engineering students complete the full liberal-arts distribution, read Plato and paint studios alongside their engineering core — rare in U.S. engineering education. Strong 5-year accelerated BS/MS option.
4 years
Union's distinctive seven-house system — each house has its own faculty fellow, seminar rooms, kitchen, lounge, and budget for student-led programming. All students are members of a Minerva House for all four years, providing a structured alternative to Greek life.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $69,039
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
