Union Commonwealth University vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

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

South Carolina State University is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (3,242 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or South Carolina 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 Union Commonwealth University than South Carolina State University ($17,124 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 8.2% lower than at South Carolina State University ($8,261 vs. $9,000).
• Union Commonwealth University is 179.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Carolina State University (about $19,886 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $11,060.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.3% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at South Carolina State University (about $9,196 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $21,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at South Carolina State University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 132.8% larger than aid received by South Carolina State University students ($26,961 vs. $11,579).

Union Commonwealth University vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union Commonwealth University (1010) is 80 points higher than at South Carolina State University (930).
• Incoming Union Commonwealth University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at South Carolina State University (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105; South Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Carolina State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

Union Commonwealth University vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and South Carolina 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).

• South Carolina State University's six-year graduation rate (35%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Union Commonwealth University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,800 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have a $9,205 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($24,000 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($248 vs. $343).
• More Union Commonwealth University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 27%)

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.