Union Commonwealth University vs. Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Union Commonwealth University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,324 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Centra College 3:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 33.5% lower than at Centra College ($8,261 vs. $12,424).
• Union Commonwealth University is 138.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $17,963 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.4% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Centra College (about $17,963 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $12,983.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Centra College (100% vs. 0%).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union Commonwealth University or Centra College? 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 Centra College and Union Commonwealth University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; Centra College - Test-free.
• Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 0% at Centra College.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and Centra College? 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).

• Graduates from Centra College earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $11,958 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($12,042 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($124 vs. $248).
• More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.