Union Commonwealth University vs. Kent State University at Salem

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Salem is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (1,633 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Kent State University at Salem is in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Kent State University at Salem 26:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Kent State University at Salem Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem than Union Commonwealth University ($13,301 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 30.1% lower than at Kent State University at Salem ($8,261 vs. $11,810).
• Union Commonwealth University is 313.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Salem (about $23,454 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $7,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.4% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Kent State University at Salem (about $13,604 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Kent State University at Salem (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 425% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($26,961 vs. $5,135).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Kent State University at Salem Admissions comparison

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

• Kent State University at Salem reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Kent State University at Salem - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State University at Salem students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Kent State University at Salem Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and Kent State University at Salem? 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 Kent State University at Salem's (19%).
• Graduates from Kent State University at Salem earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have a $1,825 lower median loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State University at Salem graduates ($248 vs. $267).
• More Kent State University at Salem graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.