Union Commonwealth University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Upstate is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (4,916 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 South Carolina Upstate is in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Upstate is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; University of South Carolina Upstate 15:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina Upstate than Union Commonwealth University ($13,999 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 21.6% lower than at University of South Carolina Upstate ($8,261 vs. $10,533).
• Union Commonwealth University is 167.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Carolina-Upstate (about $19,358 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $11,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (about $7,856 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $23,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at University of South Carolina Upstate (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 151.5% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students ($26,961 vs. $10,719).

Union Commonwealth University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union Commonwealth University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina-Upstate and Union Commonwealth University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Upstate (1090) is 80 points higher than at Union Commonwealth University (1010).
• Incoming University of South Carolina-Upstate students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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 South Carolina Upstate 1005/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; University of South Carolina Upstate 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; University of South Carolina-Upstate - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Union Commonwealth University students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.15) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53).
• University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 24% at University of South Carolina-Upstate.

Union Commonwealth University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 South Carolina Upstate's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Upstate graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($22,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($232 vs. $248).
• More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.