Degree Dividend
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Asbury University vs Union Commonwealth University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Wilmore KY · vs · Private nonprofit, Barbourville KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Asbury University comes closer — median earnings $42,368 against a $85,604 total, vs $42,002 at Union Commonwealth University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAsbury UniversityUnion Commonwealth University
Net price / yr$21,401$21,311
Total net cost$85,604$85,244
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,368$42,002
Median debt$24,028$24,250
Payback
20-year net return-$205,444-$212,404

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Asbury University or Union Commonwealth University?

Union Commonwealth University, at $21,311 a year after aid versus $21,401 — a gap of $90 a year, or $360 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Asbury University or Union Commonwealth University graduates earn more?

Asbury University graduates report a median $42,368 ten years after entry, $366 more than the $42,002 at Union Commonwealth University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Asbury University or Union Commonwealth University?

Asbury University: its completers carry a median $24,028 in federal loans versus $24,250 at Union Commonwealth University, a difference of $222. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Asbury University, against 32% at Union Commonwealth University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Asbury University vs Union Commonwealth University: frequently asked questions

Is Asbury University or Union Commonwealth University a better value?
Asbury University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Asbury University or Union Commonwealth University?
Union Commonwealth University: $21,311/yr net price after aid versus $21,401/yr at Asbury University — a difference of $90 a year, or about $360 over four years.
Do Asbury University or Union Commonwealth University graduates earn more?
Asbury University graduates earn a median $42,368 ten years after entry, versus $42,002 at Union Commonwealth University — a $366 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.