Organizer Information
Union College is a private undergraduate liberal arts and sciences college located in Schenectady, New York. Its academic offerings include visual arts, art history, film studies, digital media, creative writing, music, theater, and interdisciplinary study. Students can combine academic disciplines through majors, minors, and customized study pathways. The college also offers selected combined-degree pathways, including a 4+1 Business Master's Pathway.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Union College
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate; selected combined-degree pathways
- Degrees Offered: BA, BS, and engineering bachelor's degrees; selected master's pathways through combined-degree programs
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Art History, Film Studies, Digital Media, Theater, Dance, Music, Creative Writing, Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering
- Relevant Programs: Studio Fine Arts; Art History; Film Studies; Digital Media; Theater; Music; Creative Writing; Digital Studies
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision
- Application Deadline: Published first-year deadlines include 15 November and 15 January
- Start of Studies: Fall entry; confirm the applicable entry term with Admissions
- Application Fee: $0
- Tuition: 2026–2027 comprehensive fee: $92,610, including tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees
- Funding: Merit scholarships, grants, and need-based financial aid, subject to eligibility
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
Union College offers academic options for students interested in studio practice, visual culture, moving images, performance, and interdisciplinary creative work. Relevant offerings include:
- Studio Fine Arts: Studio-based visual arts study.
- Art History: Historical and critical study of art.
- Film Studies: Interdisciplinary study of film.
- Digital Media: Interdisciplinary media studies.
- Theater and Dance: Performance-related academic study.
- Music and Creative Writing: Additional arts and humanities pathways.
Applicants may also explore customized interdisciplinary majors. The Organizing Theme major requires a proposal integrating courses from at least three departments and approval by the relevant adviser and faculty committee.
General Eligibility
- Union College accepts applications from domestic and international students. First-year applicants are assessed on their academic preparation, secondary-school performance, recommendations, personal essay, and individual background. The college also considers applicants whose educational preparation differs from conventional patterns.
- International first-year applicants are defined by the college as applicants who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents. They must submit the required academic records, recommendations, English-proficiency evidence where applicable, and a Certification of Finances.
Educational Background
- First-year applicants should provide official secondary-school transcripts and examination results where applicable. International applicants must submit academic records in English or provide English translations accompanied by copies of the original documents.
- Transfer applicants follow a separate admissions process. Applicants to combined-degree pathways should review the additional academic and testing conditions associated with their chosen program.
Language Requirements
International applicants whose first language is not English must submit an accepted English-proficiency test unless a waiver applies.
| Test | Published competitive score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL | 90 or higher on the old scale, or 4.5 or higher on the new scale |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 or higher |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 or higher |
These are the college's published competitive scores, not a guarantee of admission. English-proficiency waivers may be available under the college's applicable policy.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| First-year applicants, including international applicants | $0 |
Union College states that there is no application fee for first-year applications submitted through the Common Application or Coalition Application.
Tuition
| Academic year | Fee category | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2026–2027 | Comprehensive fee: tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees | $92,610 |
| 2026–2027 | Estimated books and personal expenses | $2,000 |
The comprehensive fee combines tuition, accommodation, meals, and mandatory fees. Books and personal expenses are estimated separately. The $2,000 estimate should not be treated as a mandatory institutional charge. Confirm the applicable fee schedule for the intended entry year before applying.
Funding & Financial Support
- Union College provides merit scholarships and grant aid to international students. International financial aid decisions consider academic achievement and family financial circumstances. Admission is need-aware, meaning the applicant's ability to contribute toward educational costs can affect the admission decision.
- The college also provides need-based financial aid to eligible students. U.S. applicants and international applicants follow different financial-aid guidance, so applicants should consult the relevant instructions and submit required financial documents by the applicable deadlines. International students educated at a United World College may qualify for need-based scholarships through the Davis United World College Scholars Program. Funding is not guaranteed to every applicant.
University Services & Academic Support
- Relevant academic resources include faculty advising, undergraduate research opportunities, and the Schaffer Library. Union reports that many students complete faculty-mentored senior theses or capstone projects, with opportunities to present work at the annual Steinmetz Symposium.
- International students can access support through the International Advising Office. Students interested in visual arts, music, theater, and dance may submit an arts supplement for admissions consideration. These resources have different purposes: an arts supplement supports an application, while academic research and advising are part of the college's educational experience.
Application Requirements
First-year applicants generally submit the following materials:
- Common Application or Coalition Application.
- Personal essay.
- Official secondary-school transcript or transcripts.
- Counselor recommendation.
- Teacher recommendation.
- English-proficiency test results, when required for international applicants.
- Certification of Finances for international applicants.
- Financial-aid forms, if applying for need-based assistance.
- Early Decision Agreement, for Early Decision applicants.
Optional: SAT or ACT scores under the college's test-optional policy, subject to exceptions for certain combined-degree programs.
Optional arts supplement: Applicants interested in having their abilities in music, visual arts, theater, or dance considered may submit work through the Common Application or SlideRoom. This is not stated as a universal requirement for every applicant or every arts-related academic program.
International applicants must ensure that academic documents are submitted in English or accompanied by appropriate translations and copies of the original documents.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Early Decision I Application Deadline: 15 November 2026
- Early Decision I Supporting Documents Deadline: 20 November 2026
- Early Decision II Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Early Decision II Supporting Documents Deadline: 20 January 2027
- Regular Decision Application Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Supporting Documents Deadline: 20 January 2027
- Priority Scholarship Deadline: 1 December 2026
- Early Decision II and Regular Decision Arts Supplement Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Arts Supplement Submission Closes: 20 January 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline to Switch to Early Decision II: 15 February 2027
- Regular Decision Notification: Mid-March
- Regular Decision Enrollment Confirmation Deadline: 1 May 2027
Early Decision I and II decisions are released on a rolling basis, beginning in November and January, respectively. Applicants to combined-degree programs must check the relevant program deadlines because some have earlier requirements. Confirm the dates for the intended admissions cycle directly with the college before submitting an application.
Location
Union College — Schenectady, New York, United States
Additional Details
- Test-optional policy: SAT and ACT scores are optional for most applicants. Exceptions apply to the Leadership in Medicine and 3+3 Accelerated Law programs, which have additional testing conditions.
- Early Decision: Early Decision is binding. Admitted applicants must commit to attending Union College and withdraw applications to other institutions after enrollment.
- Arts supplement: Union accepts arts submissions for consideration in music, visual arts, theater, and dance. Applicants must use the designated online submission route.
- Combined-degree pathways: The college offers selected pathways, including the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program, the 8-Year Leadership in Medicine – Health Management Program, and the 4+1 Business Master's Pathway. These have program-specific eligibility and deadlines.
- Academic scope: Union is primarily an undergraduate institution. The existence of a combined master's pathway does not mean the college offers a general portfolio of standalone graduate degrees.
- Academic year and fees: The published comprehensive fee cited above applies to 2026–2027. Applicants entering in 2027–2028 should verify the updated costs and admissions calendar when published.