Blackburn College vs. Union Commonwealth University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Union Commonwealth University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,324 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Union Commonwealth University is in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Union Commonwealth University 14:1.

Blackburn College vs. Union Commonwealth University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Union Commonwealth University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Union Commonwealth University than Blackburn College ($17,124 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 16.7% lower than at Blackburn College ($8,261 vs. $9,915).
• Union Commonwealth University is 9.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $2,797 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Blackburn College (about $2,797 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at Union Commonwealth University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 38.6% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($26,961 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. Union Commonwealth University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Union Commonwealth University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Union Commonwealth University and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Blackburn College (1010) is the same as at Union Commonwealth University (1010).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125; Union Commonwealth University 920/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Union Commonwealth University 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Union Commonwealth University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• Blackburn College has a higher acceptance rate (63.2%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University.

Blackburn College vs. Union Commonwealth University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Union Commonwealth University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Blackburn College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.