KWC vs. Union Commonwealth University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY 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 KWC based on total student enrollment (1,324 students vs. 887 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Union Commonwealth University is in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Union Commonwealth University 14:1.

KWC vs. Union Commonwealth University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC 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 KWC ($17,124 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 30.3% lower than at Kentucky Wesleyan College ($8,261 vs. $11,855).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union Commonwealth University (about $3,727 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at KWC than at Union Commonwealth University (about $3,727 more per year; $34,673.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College as at Union Commonwealth University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students ($26,961 vs. $25,538).

KWC vs. Union Commonwealth University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC 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 KWC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kentucky Wesleyan College (1010) is the same as at Union Commonwealth University (1010).
• Incoming KWC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130; Union Commonwealth University 920/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23; Union Commonwealth University 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Union Commonwealth University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman KWC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• KWC has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University.

KWC vs. Union Commonwealth University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC 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).

• Kentucky Wesleyan College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $1,093 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($22,907 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($236 vs. $248).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.