Union College

Schenectady, NY · founded 1795 · 2,200 students · liberal arts college · Liberty League

Known for: Union College is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States, known for its distinctive blend of liberal arts and engineering. It was the first college chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and has a historic campus designed by French architect Joseph-Jacques Ramée.

Rankings

U.S. News liberal arts: #46
Forbes: #118

Top programmes

Mechanical Engineering
Political Science
Economics
Biology
Psychology
History

Notable alumni

Chester A. Arthur — 21st President of the United States
William H. Seward — U.S. Secretary of State who arranged the Alaska Purchase
Baruch Blumberg — Nobel Prize-winning physician who discovered hepatitis B virus
John M. Fabian — NASA astronaut
John E. Sununu — Former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire
Charles Proteus Steinmetz — Pioneering electrical engineer
Kate White — Former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine

Traditions

Founders Day
Christmas at Union
Spring Fest
The Concordiensis (oldest college newspaper in New York)

If Union College were…

As a food: Beef Wellington — Traditional, technically demanding, impressive when done right but occasionally overwrought—Union's classical liberal arts-meets-engineering requires precision, and the presentation (that Nott Memorial) is half the appea
As an athlete: Peyton Manning — Technically skilled, cerebral, successful in a traditional framework, comes from football royalty—Union's old-money engineering pedigree and pre-professional focus mirrors Manning's methodical, establishment excellence.
As a person alive today: Satya Nadella — Engineer-turned-leader, blends technical chops with strategic thinking, respects tradition while innovating—Union's liberal arts engineering model produces the Nadellas who can code and lead board meetings.
As a historical figure: Chester A. Arthur — Union alum (Class of 1848), became 21st US President, epitomized Gilded Age establishment respectability—Union's historic role training America's professional class embodied.
As a movie or TV show: The Social Network — Smart, ambitious, slightly fratty, obsessed with building things and getting ahead, set in elite institutions—Union's pre-professional engineering culture with Greek life and networking.
As a US president: William Howard Taft — Competent, traditional, respected institutions, preferred stability over revolution, served dutifully—Union's establishment values and training the professional managerial class since 1795.
As a city: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — Rust Belt resilience, engineering heritage, historic architecture, reinventing itself while honoring industrial past—Union in Schenectady mirrors Pittsburgh's blend of grit, tradition, and technical education.
As an element: Iron — Foundational to industry, strong, traditional, built the railroads and bridges of America—Union's 19th-century engineering roots and training of builders, not disruptors, embodied in the Industrial Revolution's metal.
As a car: 1987 Volvo 240 Wagon — Union's engineering pedigree and upstate New York sensibility mirror this Swedish workhorse—reliable, understated, built to last, favored by professors and pragmatists who value substance over flash. The liberal arts ven

Campus life

Union has a traditional residential college experience with over 90% of students living on campus. Social life centers around campus events, over 100 student clubs, and a mix of Greek life (about 30% participation) and non-Greek activities. The college emphasizes hands-on learning and undergraduate research.