Union Commonwealth University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Union Commonwealth University in Barbourville, KY with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Union Commonwealth University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University or WKU? 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 Western Kentucky University than Union Commonwealth University ($12,548 vs. $17,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 34.3% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($8,261 vs. $12,582).
• Union Commonwealth University is 165.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $19,294 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Union Commonwealth University than at Western Kentucky University (about $3,946 more per year; $30,946.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Union Commonwealth University students is 146.9% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($26,961 vs. $10,921).

Union Commonwealth University vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Union Commonwealth University (1010) is 60 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming WKU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Union Commonwealth University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Union Commonwealth University vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Union Commonwealth University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $34,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($24,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($248 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.