Union Commonwealth University vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Charleston Southern University is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (3,832 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or CSU? 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 CSU ($17,124 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 32.3% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($8,261 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union Commonwealth University (about $1,574 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at CSU than at Union Commonwealth University (about $1,574 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Charleston Southern University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 16% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($26,961 vs. $23,240).

Union Commonwealth University vs. CSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Charleston Southern University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Union Commonwealth University (1010).
• Incoming CSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 17.7% at CSU.

Union Commonwealth University vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Charleston Southern University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,800 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.