Union College, Exceptional and Distinctive - Facts and Figures 2021

UNION

ACADEMICS

EXCEPTIONAL AND DISTINCTIVE

UNION

ACADEMICS

EXCEPTIONAL AND DISTINCTIVE

THE UNION COLLEGE COMMUNITY Ours is a community characterized by genuine relationships and a dedication to helping students succeed in all arenas.

Faculty and staff support students as they delve into carefully selected coursework, individualized research and creative projects, and diverse internships and service.

ACADEMICS

A RIGOROUS CURRICULUM

58

MAJORS AND MINORS IN THE ARTS, ENGINEERING, HUMANITIES, SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Three 10-week terms with an extended winter break allow students to intensely focus on three courses at a time and sit down with their adviser 50% more than at most colleges and universities.

75% of students study more than one discipline.

Multiple interdisciplinary and interdepartmental concentrations, and a self-designed (Organizing Theme) major are offered.

Accelerated dual degree programs are offered in education, health care management, law and medicine, with pre-professional advising.

Facilities and advanced equipment—in science and engineering labs, visual and performing arts studios and makerspaces— rival professional and graduate-level resources.

Courses and programs introduce students to multicultural perspectives through literature, film, guest speakers and international study, promoting respect and encouraging a diversity of opinions, beliefs and values.

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GENUINE ACCESS TO FACULTY AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF 100% of classes are taught by professors (not teaching assistants).

The average class size is 24 students for introductory classes and 14 for upper-level courses.

Academic advisers, class deans, individual faculty, and career and fellowship advisers offer support throughout students’ four years.

10:1

STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO

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ROUGHLY

80%

OF STUDENTS CONDUCT ORIGINAL, FACULTY-MENTORED RESEARCH.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM 85% of students complete at least one internship before graduating, gaining meaningful career experience that makes them leading job candidates.

60% of students study abroad, with nearly 40 programs in 25 countries.

There are numerous faculty-guided, community-based learning and research opportunities.

2.2021

STUDENT + CAMPUS LIFE

STUDENT BODY

40

U.S. STATES REPRESENTED

50

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED REPRESENTED

2,150 FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATES 47% WOMEN AND 53% MEN 23% DOMESTIC STUDENTS OF COLOR 8% INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 95% OF STUDENTS LIVE ON CAMPUS ALL FOUR YEARS

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LIFE AT UNION

Residential life: Options include first-year and upperclass residences, Minerva and Greek houses, apartments, theme houses and a study-focused house.

Athletics + fitness: 24 NCAA Div. III athletic teams (Liberty League), men’s and women’s ice hockey teams in Div. I (ECAC), and offerings in intramural, recreational and club sports. A third of all students participate in intercollegiate sports.

Clubs: Some 130 student-led clubs and organizations cater to a range of interests.

Minervas: 7 Minerva Houses serve as hubs for academic, social, residential and leadership activities.

Greek life: There are 12 national Greek organizations, including social, culturally based and service, which students may join their sophomore year; 30% of all students belong to one of these groups.

Theme houses: 13 student-run, residential theme houses focus on a wide range of interests, from arts to technology.

Volunteering: More than 1,200 students are involved in over 30 community service programs each year, from civic projects to youth mentoring.

2.2021

ACCOLADES + RECOGNITION

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ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

#6

BEST LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES FOR YOUR MONEY (Money Magazine, 2019)

#44, Best National Liberal Arts Colleges (U.S. News & World Report, 2021) #23, Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs accredited by ABET (The Princeton Review, 2021) #6, Most Accessible Professors (The Princeton Review, 2021) Top 5 STEM Schools for Women (USA Today College Guide, 2017)

CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT Top 50 Green Colleges (The Princeton Review, 2021) Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award recipient (Insight into Diversity magazine, 7 straight years) A Small and Mighty Campus of Excellence (Hillel International, since 2009)

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OUTCOMES

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IMMEDIATE IMPACT + LIFELONG VALUE

Union’s strong liberal arts programs develop critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills valued by employers in many fields, as well as intellectual curiosity that enhances lifelong learning.

Roughly 98% of new graduates are employed full-time or pursuing an advanced degree or fellowship within six months of graduation.

Union is recognized as a top producer of Fulbright Student award winners, Peace Corps volunteers and Fortune 500 CEOs. Top career fields are business, communications, education, engineering, finance, government, healthcare, law and technology.

Alumni include Nobel Prize and Academy Award winners, a National Book Award winner, a MacArthur Fellow and an Olympic Gold medalist.

The Union Career Advisory Network, made up of more than 13,000 alumni and friends of the College, is a student resource for career and graduate school guidance.

Union’s Minerva Fellows engage in entrepreneurial projects and service in developing countries and share their global experience with current students on campus. More than 100 fellows have been selected since 2008.

2.2021

ADMISSIONS + FINANCIAL AID

ADMISSIONS

39%

OF THE CLASS OF 2024 ACCEPTED EARLY DECISION

Union accepts the Coalition Application and the Common Application.

There are fall and winter Early Decision options, as well as Early Action and Regular Decision.

Union is test optional. For students who choose to submit scores: Middle 50% ACT range is 28-33 Middle 50% SAT range is 1280-1430 The Scholars Program is a rigorous academic program offered to a select group of approximately 60 incoming students each year.

Scholars are generally among the top 10% of admitted students.

Admitted students’ average GPA is A-/B+.

Admissions counselors look at the prospective student’s grades, quality of courses, class rank, recommendations and extracurriculars. union.edu

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FINANCIAL AID

MORE THAN

60% OF STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

UNION AWARDS MORE THAN $53 MILLION IN GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS EACH YEAR.

The comprehensive fee (tuition, room, board, fees) is $74,010 (2020-2021 academic year).

Union is one of very few colleges and universities in the country (fewer than 5%) that commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need of all admitted students.

The average need-based financial aid package is $46,200.

Merit scholarships, awarded to top applicants each year, range from $15,000-$25,000.

New Making U Possible grants expand aid to those who would not qualify or would minimally qualify for need-based aid.

2.2021

THE STRATEGIC PLAN 2020-2025

VISION Developing every student to lead with wisdom, empathy and courage, in ways large and small, now and across multiple tomorrows.

MISSION Union College provides a rigorous, holistic and immersive residential liberal education that emphasizes integration, innovation, inclusion and reflection for every student.

GOALS Union will strengthen and enhance a vibrant community of learners, scholars and teachers that blends the liberal arts and engineering, transcends disciplinary boundaries, bridges classroom and immersive experiences, and engages and embraces diverse experiences and perspectives.

Union will ensure that it has the resources required to thrive in a changing higher education landscape. union.edu

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POWERING UNION >>

THE CAMPAIGN FOR MULTIPLE TOMORROWS $300 million goal by 2023

ENSURING ACCESS

$65 MILLION

Scholarships Persistence Fund PROPELLING THE LIBERAL ARTS AND ENGINEERING

$150 MILLION

Endowed professorships cademic programming A Faculty development programming Research and travel support Facility and technology enhancements DEVELOPING STUDENTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

$30 MILLION

Center for Community Engagement Experiential learning opportunities Residential curriculum and First-year Experience Becker Career Center and Wicker Wellness Center programming Endowed Class Deans ccommodative Services, academic A achievement and tutoring programs THE UNION FUND

$55 MILLION

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