Union College: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances

Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI

Quick answer: Union College has a 35% acceptance rate, which makes it a selective school. Admitted students typically score around 1400 on the SAT or 31 on the ACT. Use the free calculator below to estimate your personal odds at Union College.
Acceptance rate35%
SAT (75th percentile)1400
ACT (75th percentile)31
LocationNY
School typePrivate

Union College is a private liberal arts college in Schenectady, New York. It accepts about 35% of applicants, making it one of the more selective smaller colleges in the Northeast. Union is known for combining a traditional liberal arts education with strong programs in engineering and science.

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How hard is it to get into Union College?

A 35% acceptance rate means that Union turns away about two out of every three applicants. For a school of its size, that is a meaningfully selective pool. Students who get in tend to have solid GPAs, have taken challenging courses, and have thought through why Union is the right place for them.

Union attracts students who are interested in both the sciences and the humanities, and the school values intellectual curiosity across disciplines. If you can show that in your application, it counts for something.

Test scores that make you competitive

The 75th percentile SAT score for admitted students at Union College is 1400, with an ACT equivalent of 31. Scores in the 1200-1400 SAT range or 27-31 ACT range put you in a competitive position alongside most admitted students.

Union has offered test-optional admissions in recent years. If your test scores are not where you want them, the rest of your application, especially grades and essays, can still carry significant weight.

What Union College looks for

Union takes a holistic approach to admissions. Your course rigor matters as much as your GPA. Taking AP or honors classes and performing well in them signals readiness for Union's curriculum. Teacher recommendations that speak to your intellectual engagement also carry real weight.

Union is a smaller school, and admissions readers are genuinely trying to build a class of students who will contribute to campus life. Showing that you have thought seriously about why Union fits your goals, and not just listing it as a safety, tends to help.

Estimate your chances at Union College

For a free, personalized estimate of your chances at Union College, use the CollegeCalcAI calculator at collegecalcai.com. You plug in your GPA, test scores, and activities and get an instant read on your odds. It is a more useful reference point than just looking at the 35% acceptance rate.

Frequently asked questions

What is Union College's acceptance rate?

Union College accepts about 35% of applicants, which is selective for a small liberal arts college.

What SAT or ACT score do I need for Union College?

The 75th percentile SAT score for admitted students is 1400 and the ACT is 31. Scoring in the 1200-1400 SAT or 27-31 ACT range is competitive. Union has offered test-optional admissions in recent application cycles.

Is Union College hard to get into?

Yes, a 35% acceptance rate makes it genuinely selective. Strong academics and a clear sense of fit with the school both matter in the application.

See your real odds at Union College

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.