Union Commonwealth University vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

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

Fairmont State University is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Union Commonwealth University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or Fairmont 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 Fairmont State University than Union Commonwealth University ($11,328 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 29.1% lower than at Fairmont State University ($8,261 vs. $11,656).
• Union Commonwealth University is 255.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $22,238 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.5% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Fairmont State University (about $12,022 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Fairmont State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 215.3% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($26,961 vs. $8,552).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union Commonwealth University (1010) is 70 points higher than at Fairmont State (940).
• Incoming Fairmont State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105; Fairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; Fairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman Fairmont State students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Union Commonwealth University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Fairmont State University's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($227 vs. $248).
• More Fairmont State 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.