Union Commonwealth University vs. UVa-Wise

Comparable Facts

Compare Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY with University of Virginia's College at Wise in Wise, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia's College at Wise is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (2,167 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); University of Virginia's College at Wise is in Wise, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia's College at Wise is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; University of Virginia's College at Wise 14:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or UVa-Wise? 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 University of Virginia's College at Wise than Union Commonwealth University ($14,378 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 35.5% lower than at University of Virginia's College at Wise ($8,261 vs. $12,816).
• Union Commonwealth University is 162.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVa-Wise (about $19,166 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $11,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.5% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at University of Virginia's College at Wise (about $2,936 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $28,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at University of Virginia's College at Wise (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 119.9% larger than aid received by University of Virginia's College at Wise students ($26,961 vs. $12,262).

Union Commonwealth University vs. UVa-Wise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union Commonwealth University or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and Union Commonwealth University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia's College at Wise (1030) is 20 points higher than at Union Commonwealth University (1010).
• Incoming UVa-Wise students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105; University of Virginia's College at Wise 945/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; University of Virginia's College at Wise 18/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; UVa-Wise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVa-Wise Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• Union Commonwealth University has a higher acceptance rate (63.2%) than UVa-Wise (28.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 15.1% at UVa-Wise.

Union Commonwealth University vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and UVa-Wise? 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).

• University of Virginia's College at Wise's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia's College at Wise earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia's College at Wise graduates have a $3,173 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($20,827 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UVa-Wise graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($215 vs. $248).
• More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.