Union Commonwealth University vs. LEC

Comparable Facts

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

Union Commonwealth University is larger than LEC based on total student enrollment (1,324 students vs. 1,108 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Lake Erie College is in Painesville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Erie College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Lake Erie College 12:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. LEC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or LEC? 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 LEC ($17,124 vs. $22,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 36.6% lower than at Lake Erie College ($8,261 vs. $13,036).
• Lake Erie College is 21.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union Commonwealth University (about $6,688 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at LEC than at Union Commonwealth University (about $6,688 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University as at Lake Erie College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Erie College students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Union Commonwealth University students ($27,879 vs. $26,961).

Union Commonwealth University vs. LEC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Erie College (1030) is 20 points higher than at Union Commonwealth University (1010).
• Incoming LEC 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; Lake Erie College 945/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; Lake Erie College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; LEC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: LEC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LEC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• LEC has a higher acceptance rate (70.4%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 19.7% at LEC.

Union Commonwealth University vs. LEC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lake Erie College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Lake Erie College earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,600 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 LEC graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LEC graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More LEC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.