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Union Commonwealth University

#1088 in US ranking Barbourville, KY
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$44,272
Tuition & fees
$71,676
Avg. aid
$24,379
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
63%
Avg. SAT
1052
ACT range
15–22

Outcomes

Graduation rate
32%
Median salary
$42,724
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Union Commonwealth University?

Union Commonwealth University is a private university in Barbourville, Kentucky, with roots dating to 1879. It operated for much of its history as Union College before adopting its current name, which reflects an academic portfolio that extends beyond undergraduate liberal arts education.

The institution's Methodist heritage remains part of its identity. For applicants comparing older publications with current ones, references to Union College in Barbourville generally refer to the same institution now called Union Commonwealth University - not to another college with "Union" in its name.

What are the faculties and departments at Union Commonwealth University?

Union Commonwealth University offers undergraduate and graduate study across liberal arts, professional, and health-related fields. Its programs include business, education, nursing, psychology, criminal justice, biology, and exercise and sport-related subjects.

Academic organization and credential levels matter more than a program name alone. A prospective nursing student, for example, should distinguish admission to the university from admission to a particular nursing pathway; an education student should check which program leads toward the teaching credential they seek. The current academic catalog is the appropriate place to confirm a major's degree requirements, delivery format, and any separate application or fieldwork requirements.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to 1. That institution-wide measure does not establish the size of every class, particularly in courses with clinical, laboratory, or online components.

What is the location of Union Commonwealth University?

Union Commonwealth University's main campus is in Barbourville, a small city in southeastern Kentucky. Students considering an on-campus program should expect a smaller-community setting rather than an urban campus with extensive public transit.

Transportation planning may be especially important for commuters, clinical placements, internships, and travel home. First-year students may register or park a car on campus, although they should check current permit rules. Blue Grass Airport in Lexington is a regional air-travel option, but reaching Barbourville from the airport requires additional ground transportation.

What is the mission and vision of Union Commonwealth University?

Union Commonwealth University describes its educational purpose in terms of academic learning, service, and personal development, shaped by its Methodist heritage. Its stated approach connects professional preparation with a broader liberal arts education.

That religious background is relevant to campus programming and identity, but it should not be mistaken for a statement about every student's beliefs. Applicants who want to understand how the mission affects their experience can examine current general-education requirements, spiritual-life activities, and student conduct policies separately.

Union Commonwealth University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Union Commonwealth University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

Town: Remote

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

Religious affiliation

Protestant (United Methodist Church)

School type

Comprehensive higher education institution

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Trimesters

Foundation year

1879

Union Commonwealth University Accreditation

Union Commonwealth University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Union Commonwealth University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconAssociate's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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