Union Commonwealth University vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Union Commonwealth University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (1,324 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson ($17,124 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 36.7% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($8,261 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 34.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union Commonwealth University (about $10,554 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.1% higher at Warren Wilson than at Union Commonwealth University (about $10,554 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University as at Warren Wilson College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Union Commonwealth University students ($30,887 vs. $26,961).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union Commonwealth University or Warren Wilson? 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 Warren Wilson and Union Commonwealth University.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
• 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; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University and Warren Wilson? 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).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Union Commonwealth University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,800 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Union Commonwealth University graduates ($237 vs. $248).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.