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Knox County Kentucky CourthousePhoto: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Barbourville

Barbourville is home to Union Commonwealth University

Union Commonwealth University (930 students on campus) is inside the city. About 10% of Barbourville’s residents are enrolled in college, above Kentucky (6%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Barbourville. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
930 students on campus
Nearest college
0.5 mi
Union Commonwealth University
Residents in college
10%
Above KY (6%)
Nearest community college
42.7 mi
Somerset · $4,728 tuition
Nearest public university
64.7 mi
Eastern Kentucky University · $10,320 in-state
Median household income
$22K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Barbourville

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in BarbourvilleUnion Commonwealth University has 930 students on campus in Barbourville, 32% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 42.7 miles awaySomerset Community College in Somerset: tuition and fees $4,728 a year for Kentucky residents.In-state price at Eastern Kentucky UniversityLiving in Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University charges $10,320 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $21,230. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 10% of residentsAbove Kentucky (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Barbourville

One private college within 0.5 miles. The nearest public four-year college, Eastern Kentucky University, is 64.7 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miUnion Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville
University or collegeCommunity college
Union Commonwealth UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 930 on campus · In Barbourville63%admitted$21knet price32%graduate$42kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at Under $30k, where Barbourville’s median household income ($22,046) falls.

Eastern Kentucky University64.7 mi · Richmond · sticker $23,735$8,591a year
Union Commonwealth UniversityIn Barbourville · sticker $44,322$12,214a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Union Commonwealth UniversityEastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University50% graduate$46k earnings$22k typical debt
Union Commonwealth University32% graduate$42k earnings$24k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Barbourville

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Union Commonwealth University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 38%Business 23%Parks & recreation 14%Liberal arts 6%Psychology 5%Biology 4%Everything else 11%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing41 graduates a year
$87k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations25 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness24 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Barbourville

Is Barbourville a college town?

No. About 10 of every 100 Barbourville residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Kentucky (6). The largest campus in the city, Union Commonwealth University, has 930 students on campus.

What colleges are in Barbourville?

Union Commonwealth University is inside the city. Somerset Community College is 42.7 miles away in Somerset.

What is the closest community college to Barbourville, and what does it cost?

Somerset Community College in Somerset, 42.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,728 a year for Kentucky residents; the federal net price, $4,398, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Eastern Kentucky University cost if we live in Kentucky?

Tuition and fees are $10,320 a year in-state and $21,230 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,591 (under $30,000 income) to $17,009 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Barbourville. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →