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Head-to-head comparison

Union Commonwealth University vs ATA College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Barbourville KY · vs · Private for-profit, Louisville KY

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Barbourville, KY

Union Commonwealth University

Net price / year
$21,311
Earnings, 10 years
$42,002
Payback
No payback

Option B Louisville, KY

ATA College

Net price / year
$28,611
Earnings, 10 years
$34,577
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Union Commonwealth University comes closer — median earnings $42,002 against a $85,244 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUnion Commonwealth UniversityATA College
Net price / yr$21,311$28,611
Total net cost$85,244$57,222
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,002$34,577
Median debt$24,250$21,030
Payback——
20-year net return-$212,404-$332,882

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Union Commonwealth University or ATA College?

Union Commonwealth University, at $21,311 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $7,300 a year, or $28,022 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Union Commonwealth University or ATA College graduates earn more?

Union Commonwealth University graduates report a median $42,002 ten years after entry, $7,425 more than the $34,577 at ATA College. 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.

The short answer

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

ATA College: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $24,250 at Union Commonwealth University, a difference of $3,220. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

46% of students finish at ATA College, 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.

Union Commonwealth University vs ATA College: frequently asked questions

Is Union Commonwealth University or ATA College a better value?
Union Commonwealth 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, Union Commonwealth University or ATA College?
Union Commonwealth University: $21,311/yr net price after aid versus $28,611/yr at ATA College — a difference of $7,300 a year, or about $28,022 over four years.
Do Union Commonwealth University or ATA College graduates earn more?
Union Commonwealth University graduates earn a median $42,002 ten years after entry, versus $34,577 at ATA College — a $7,425 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.