Union Commonwealth University vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University than Union Commonwealth University ($16,230 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 45.3% lower than at Cleveland State University ($8,261 vs. $15,104).
• Union Commonwealth University is 138.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $17,958 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.2% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Cleveland State University (about $12,436 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 175.3% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($26,961 vs. $9,795).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union Commonwealth University (1010) is the same as at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State 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; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Union Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($222 vs. $248).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.