Union Commonwealth University vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Union Commonwealth University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College ($17,124 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 12% lower than at Columbia College ($8,261 vs. $9,390).
• Union Commonwealth University is 39.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $8,732 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.3% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Columbia College (about $8,732 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 63.9% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($26,961 vs. $16,451).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union Commonwealth University (1010) is 10 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming Union Commonwealth University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and Columbia 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Union Commonwealth University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,800 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,264 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($248 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.