Union Commonwealth University vs. University of Charleston

Comparable Facts

Compare Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY with University of Charleston in Charleston, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Charleston is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (3,062 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 Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston ($17,124 vs. $20,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 32.7% lower than at University of Charleston ($8,261 vs. $12,280).
• University of Charleston is 9.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union Commonwealth University (about $2,854 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at University of Charleston than at Union Commonwealth University (about $2,854 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at University of Charleston (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 3.2% larger than aid received by University of Charleston students ($26,961 vs. $26,132).

Union Commonwealth University vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Charleston (1070) is 60 points higher than at Union Commonwealth University (1010).
• Incoming University of Charleston 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; University of Charleston 985/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; University of Charleston 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; University of Charleston - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Union Commonwealth University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.15) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
• Union Commonwealth University has a higher acceptance rate (63.2%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

Union Commonwealth University vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and University of Charleston? 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 Charleston's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of Charleston earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($20,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($211 vs. $248).
• More University of Charleston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.