Union Commonwealth University vs. WKU

Union Commonwealth University and Western Kentucky University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Union Commonwealth University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Union Commonwealth University (63.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $17,124 at Union Commonwealth University.
  • Graduation: Union Commonwealth University 32% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Union Commonwealth University $34,800 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Union Commonwealth University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
Union Commonwealth University more selective
Union Commonwealth University63.2%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Union Commonwealth University higher
Union Commonwealth University920-1105
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $4,576 less
Union Commonwealth University$17,124
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $19,294 less
Union Commonwealth University$30,946
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $3,946 less
Union Commonwealth University$30,946
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +18 pts
Union Commonwealth University32%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WKU +$2,300
Union Commonwealth University$34,800
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Union Commonwealth University 996
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • Union Commonwealth University 629
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • Union Commonwealth University 63.2%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Union Commonwealth University 38.8%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Union Commonwealth University 1010
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • Union Commonwealth University 17
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • Union Commonwealth University 3.15
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Union Commonwealth University B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Union Commonwealth University Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Union Commonwealth University Low
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • Union Commonwealth University 920-1105
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • Union Commonwealth University 14-21
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Union Commonwealth University Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Union Commonwealth University
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Union Commonwealth University $30,946
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Union Commonwealth University $30,946
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • Union Commonwealth University $8,261
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • Union Commonwealth University $17,124
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • Union Commonwealth University $26,961
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Union Commonwealth University 100%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Union Commonwealth University 32%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Union Commonwealth University $34,800
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Union Commonwealth University 42%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Union Commonwealth University $24,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Union Commonwealth University $248
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Union Commonwealth University 14:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Union Commonwealth University
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (24%)
    • Psychology (14%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KY
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • Union Commonwealth University Remote Town
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Union Commonwealth University 1,324
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • Union Commonwealth University Private 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Union Commonwealth University #989
  • WKU #970

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • 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 vs. $27,000).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at Union Commonwealth University (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Union Commonwealth University and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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