Union Commonwealth University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Union Commonwealth University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (1,324 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than Union Commonwealth University ($14,546 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 0.5% lower than at The University of Tennessee Southern ($8,261 vs. $8,300).
• Union Commonwealth University is 183.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $20,022 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 183.3% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $20,022 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 160.3% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($26,961 vs. $10,358).

Union Commonwealth University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union Commonwealth University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and Union Commonwealth University.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union Commonwealth University (1010) is the same as at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern 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; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Union Commonwealth University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Southern earn a median of about $100 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $1,685 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($22,315 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($230 vs. $248).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern 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.