Union Commonwealth University
- Graduation Rate
- 34% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,002 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $21,311 D+
- 24% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 63% B
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 11.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $11.6 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $11.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $905,497.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 34% — 40% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $11.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Union Commonwealth University
Union Commonwealth University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 746
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Psychology
Why students choose Union Commonwealth University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 63% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,311 a year after grants and scholarships — 24% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,002 ten years after enrolling — 3% above the typical college, against $24,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
Union Commonwealth University is a good fit for students looking for a close-knit environment, with an enrollment of just 746. The acceptance rate stands at 63%, which means there's a reasonable chance for many applicants to secure a spot. Students here dive into a variety of fields, particularly Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, Education, and Psychology. These programs are designed to equip students with practical skills for the workforce.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $42,002 within ten years. This figure suggests that while earnings may not be at the top end of the scale, there’s still potential for growth, especially for those who take advantage of internship and networking opportunities during their studies. The fact that 53% of students receive Pell Grants indicates that many here come from lower-income backgrounds, which also speaks to the university's commitment to accessibility and support for those who might need it.
Looking at the financial side, the net price after aid is about $21,311, and the median debt sits at $24,250. These numbers suggest that while students may graduate with debt, the cost is manageable with the right planning. Union Commonwealth tends to attract those who value a supportive community and are dedicated to their studies, whether they're first-time college students or returning to education later in life.
Rankings
- #11 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Kentucky
- #14 Best Nursing Colleges in Kentucky
- #20 Best Biology Colleges in Kentucky
- #21 Best Psychology Colleges in Kentucky
- #24 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #24 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- #24 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky
- #24 Best Business Colleges in Kentucky
Can I Get In?
How selective Union Commonwealth University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Union Commonwealth University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Barbourville, Kentucky, Union Commonwealth University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 63% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 980. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 63%
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- SAT Average
- 980
- ACT Midpoint
- 19
- ACT Range
- 15–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,687
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 1,142
- Admitted
- 610
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Union Commonwealth University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Union Commonwealth University is $30,946, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,311. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,214 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $30,946
- Out-of-State
- $30,946
- Avg Net Price
- $21,311
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 53%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 61%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,214
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,368
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,774
- Family Income $110K+
- $44,322
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Union Commonwealth University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Union Commonwealth University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Union Commonwealth University report median earnings of $42,002, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,529
- 8 Years
- $40,549
- 10 Years
- $42,002
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.58x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (21)
- 9%
- 100% (21)
- 9%
- 100% (21)
- 9%
- 100% (21)
- 9%
How Union Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Union Commonwealth University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Union Commonwealth University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,311/year ($85,244 total). Graduates earn $42,002 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $990,741 in total earnings — a net gain of $905,497 (11.6× your investment). The median debt is $24,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 34% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $85,244
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $990,741
- Net Return
- $905,497
- ROI Multiple
- 11.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,311
- Median Debt
- $24,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 34%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,082,825
- Investment Income
- $-5,146,210
Top Programs
The fields Union Commonwealth University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 38% $67,032 early-career
- Business & Marketing 23% $36,980 early-career
- Humanities 6%
- Psychology 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Education 2% $35,271 early-career
- Social Sciences 1%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Union Commonwealth University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Union Commonwealth University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Barbourville, Kentucky, Union Commonwealth University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 63% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 980. The graduation rate is roughly 34%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Union Commonwealth University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Union Commonwealth University is $30,946, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,311. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,214 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,250 in federal student loans.
Is Union Commonwealth University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Union Commonwealth University report median earnings of $42,002, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Union Commonwealth University.
- Young Harris CollegeYoung Harris, GA · Close peer44% grad $47,195 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Tusculum UniversityGreeneville, TN · Close peer28% grad $44,367 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lyon CollegeBatesville, AR · Close peer51% grad $44,232 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Emmanuel UniversityFranklin Springs, GA · Close peer38% grad $38,208 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Kentucky Christian UniversityGrayson, KY · Close peer35% grad $42,375 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Johnson UniversityKnoxville, TN · Close peer59% grad $40,596 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
