Union Commonwealth University vs. Shawnee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Shawnee State University is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Shawnee State University is in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Shawnee State University 12:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Shawnee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University than Union Commonwealth University ($13,996 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 33.9% lower than at Shawnee State University ($8,261 vs. $12,502).
• Union Commonwealth University is 191.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shawnee State University (about $20,320 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $10,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.3% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Shawnee State University (about $13,588 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $17,358.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Shawnee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 244.8% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($26,961 vs. $7,820).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Shawnee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Shawnee State University 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; Shawnee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Shawnee State University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Shawnee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and Shawnee State University? 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 Shawnee State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Shawnee State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,300 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have a $288 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($23,712 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($245 vs. $248).
• More Union Commonwealth University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 36%)

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.