Eastern vs. Union Commonwealth University

Deciding between Eastern Kentucky University and Union Commonwealth University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Eastern Kentucky University
Union Commonwealth University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Eastern Richmond, KY
  • Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KY
  • Setting
  • Eastern Distant Town
  • Union Commonwealth University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Eastern 15,673
  • Union Commonwealth University 1,324
  • Type
  • Eastern Public 4 Year
  • Union Commonwealth University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Eastern #886
  • Union Commonwealth University #989
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Eastern -
  • Union Commonwealth University United Methodist
  • Status
  • Eastern Non-profit
  • Union Commonwealth University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Eastern
  • Union Commonwealth University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Eastern $10,320
  • Union Commonwealth University $30,946
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Eastern $21,230
  • Union Commonwealth University $30,946
  • Room & Board
  • Eastern $12,268
  • Union Commonwealth University $8,261
  • Average Net Price
  • Eastern $12,279
  • Union Commonwealth University $17,124
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Eastern $11,468
  • Union Commonwealth University $26,961
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Eastern 98%
  • Union Commonwealth University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Eastern 17,024
  • Union Commonwealth University 996
  • Admitted
  • Eastern 13,212
  • Union Commonwealth University 629
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Eastern 77.6%
  • Union Commonwealth University 63.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Eastern 19.9%
  • Union Commonwealth University 38.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Eastern 980
  • Union Commonwealth University 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Eastern 22
  • Union Commonwealth University 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • Eastern 3.39
  • Union Commonwealth University 3.15
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Eastern B+
  • Union Commonwealth University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Eastern Very Easy
  • Union Commonwealth University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Eastern
  • Union Commonwealth University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Eastern 19/25
  • Union Commonwealth University 14/21
  • SAT Range
  • Eastern 880/1080
  • Union Commonwealth University 920/1105
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Eastern Test optional
  • Union Commonwealth University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Eastern Aug 1, 2027
  • Union Commonwealth University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Eastern 17:1
  • Union Commonwealth University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Eastern
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Union Commonwealth University
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (24%)
    • Psychology (14%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Eastern 38%
  • Union Commonwealth University 32%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Eastern $37,900
  • Union Commonwealth University $34,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Eastern 49%
  • Union Commonwealth University 42%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Eastern $23,695
  • Union Commonwealth University $24,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Eastern $245
  • Union Commonwealth University $248
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Eastern 39%
  • Union Commonwealth University 61%
  • % Women
  • Eastern 61%
  • Union Commonwealth University 39%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Eastern Very Low
  • Union Commonwealth University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Eastern No
  • Union Commonwealth University No
  • % White
  • Eastern 85%
  • Union Commonwealth University 72%
  • % Asian
  • Eastern 1%
  • Union Commonwealth University 0%
  • % Black
  • Eastern 6%
  • Union Commonwealth University 12%
  • % Hispanic
  • Eastern 2%
  • Union Commonwealth University 2%
  • % Native American
  • Eastern 0%
  • Union Commonwealth University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Eastern 0%
  • Union Commonwealth University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Eastern 2%
  • Union Commonwealth University 5%
  • % International
  • Eastern 2%
  • Union Commonwealth University 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Eastern 1%
  • Union Commonwealth University 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Eastern 91%
  • Union Commonwealth University 44%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Eastern 9%
  • Union Commonwealth University 36%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Eastern Yes
  • Union Commonwealth University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Eastern No
  • Union Commonwealth University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Eastern Yes
  • Union Commonwealth University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Eastern No
  • Union Commonwealth University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Eastern No
  • Union Commonwealth University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Union Commonwealth University is in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting).
  • Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Union Commonwealth University 14:1.

Eastern vs. Union Commonwealth University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University than Union Commonwealth University ($12,279 vs. $17,124).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 32.7% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($8,261 vs. $12,268).
  • Union Commonwealth University is 199.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $20,626 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $10,320.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 45.8% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $9,716 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $21,230.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Eastern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 135.1% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($26,961 vs. $11,468).

Eastern vs. Union Commonwealth University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern 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 Eastern.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union Commonwealth University (1010) is 30 points higher than at Eastern (980).
  • Incoming Eastern students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; Union Commonwealth University 920/1105.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; Union Commonwealth University 14/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Union Commonwealth University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Eastern students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
  • Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University.

Eastern vs. Union Commonwealth University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern 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).

  • Eastern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
  • Graduates from Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Kentucky University graduates have a $305 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($23,695 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, Eastern graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($245 vs. $248).
  • More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.