Union Commonwealth Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Union Commonwealth University is a private research university in Barbourville, Kentucky, enrolling about 746 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 63.15% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $42,002 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $30,946
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,311 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 63.15% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 746 94.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 32.13%
- Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
- First-Generation Students: 40.7%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 3.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average SAT Score: 980
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 860
- Applicants (IPEDS): 834
- Room & Board: $8,261 annual estimate
Union Commonwealth University: what the data shows
Common questions about Union Commonwealth University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Union Commonwealth University?
Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (ZIP 40906-1499).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is Union Commonwealth University public or private?
Union Commonwealth University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Union Commonwealth University cost?
Published tuition: $30,946.
Average net price after aid: $21,311.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $12,214 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,368 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,774 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $44,322 |
| $110,001+ | $44,322 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $123,784.
How hard is it to get into Union Commonwealth University?
Admission rate: 63.15%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 980 and midpoint ACT 19.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Union Commonwealth University?
Total enrollment: 746 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 860 students.
Graduate enrollment: 549 students.
About 94% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Union Commonwealth University?
150%-time completion rate: 32.13%.
First-year retention: 63.8%.
What do graduates of Union Commonwealth University earn?
Median earnings: $36,529 six years after entry; $42,002 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $24,250.
52.70% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Union Commonwealth University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager (59 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (56 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (29 completions)
- Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling (27 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (21 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (17 completions)
- Psychology, General (17 completions)
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other (17 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (17 completions)
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management (14 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Union Commonwealth University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 63.15%; completion rate 32.13%; median earnings $42,002 at 10 years; net price $21,311. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$30,946
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Union Commonwealth University was $30,946.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,311
2024 Value
In 2024 Union Commonwealth University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,311.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$85,244 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,311 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$123,784 4-Year Tuition
$8,261 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,500 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$40,707 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$162,828 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Union Commonwealth University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
52.70% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
60.54% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Union Commonwealth University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Union Commonwealth University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $22,000 | $22,000 | $17,564 |
| 2014 | $22,980 | $22,980 | $19,088 |
| 2015 | $24,000 | $24,000 | $20,660 |
| 2016 | $25,135 | $25,135 | $22,496 |
| 2017 | $26,080 | $26,080 | $23,504 |
| 2018 | $27,140 | $27,140 | $21,586 |
| 2019 | $27,950 | $27,950 | $21,771 |
| 2020 | $28,000 | $28,000 | $20,558 |
| 2021 | $28,889 | $28,889 | $21,504 |
| 2022 | $30,946 | $30,946 | $24,770 |
| 2023 | $30,946 | $30,946 | $23,906 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
63.15% Acceptance Rate
834 Total Applicants
459 Students Admitted
198 First-Time Students Enrolled
43.14% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 980
ACT Average: 19
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Union Commonwealth University reported total enrollment of about 746 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 61% male and 39% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (49.3%), Black or African American (18.4%), and Non-Resident Alien (18.4%). About 52.70% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 40.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
94.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Union Commonwealth University in 2024 is 746 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 860 students. Graduate enrollment is about 549 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
63.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 49.3%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
22.17% 100% Completion Time
32.13% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 22.17% of students graduating from Union Commonwealth University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager: 75% male / 25% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 64% male / 36% female
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 45% male / 55% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Union Commonwealth University.
Return on Investment
$24,250 Median Student Debt
$42,002 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
57.74% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
392.73% Return on Investment
5.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Union Commonwealth University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 40 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager: 59 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 56 completions
3. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 29 completions
4. Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling: 27 completions
5. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 21 completions
6. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 17 completions
7. Psychology, General: 17 completions
8. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other: 17 completions
9. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 17 completions
Most popular programs at Union Commonwealth University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Union Commonwealth University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Union Commonwealth University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $5,687
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $5,205
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Union Commonwealth University is a private non-profit institution located in Barbourville, KY, classified as Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager, Business Administration and Management, General, Exercise Science and Kinesiology. Enrollment is approximately 746 students. Student body composition includes White (49.3%), Black or African American (18.4%), Non-Resident Alien (18.4%). The admission rate is 63.15%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 980. The 150%-time completion rate is 32.13%. Approximately 52.70% of students receive Pell Grants. About 40.7% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus
Location
Barbourville, KY 40906-1499
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 32.13% graduation rate at Union Commonwealth University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Union Commonwealth University located?
Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY.
What is Union Commonwealth University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Union Commonwealth University is 63.1% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 834 applicants and 459 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Union Commonwealth University cost?
Reported tuition is $30,946 and average net price is $21,311 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $8,261 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Union Commonwealth University?
Union Commonwealth University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 860 students, White (49.3%), Black or African American (18.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Union Commonwealth University?
About 40.7% of students at Union Commonwealth University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Union Commonwealth University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Union Commonwealth University reports midpoint SAT about 980 and midpoint ACT about 19.
What do graduates of Union Commonwealth University earn?
Median earnings are $36,529 six years after entry and $42,002 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Union Commonwealth University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 32.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Union Commonwealth University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $24,250.
Is Union Commonwealth University public or private?
Union Commonwealth University is a private nonprofit institution located in Barbourville, KY.
Is Union Commonwealth University an HBCU?
No. Union Commonwealth University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Union Commonwealth University a tribal college?
No. Union Commonwealth University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Kentucky college costs
- Kentucky colleges by ROI
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Kentucky
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.