Union enrollment up 15%

Rachel Dorroh • Oct 04, 2023

Over the last year, private nonprofit colleges across the country have seen a drop in enrollment of about 1%. However, during the same time period, Union College has experienced 15% growth.

In fact, the total number of students currently enrolled at Union is 1120, which is more than at any other time since the pandemic began.


Student numbers are up in all categories: traditional undergraduates, graduates, and non-traditional students, which includes those attending part-time, online, and in the RN to BSN program. The most significant enrollment leap was for graduate students, though, which went up 57%.


“We're seeing growth in both international and domestic graduate students across all our programs – business, education, psychology, and athletic training,” says David Williams, Union’s vice president of enrollment.

Williams attributes this growth to Union’s expanded offerings, which were created in response to student needs.


“We've worked over the past five years to develop programs that students were asking for, and we're now seeing those changes attract students.”


Want to learn more? Click the button below to learn which Union program is right for you. 


Your Purpose, Our Mission
photo of students playing in the esports arena
By Bruce Cory 29 Apr, 2024
This spring marks the end of the first season of intercollegiate competition for Union Commonwealth University's Esports teams. We fielded four teams this year: Valorant, Rocket League, Rainbow Six: Siege, and Super Smash Bros Ultimate for competition in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC).
faculty, students, guests gathered outside the chapel for convocation
By Rachel Dorroh 26 Apr, 2024
Union Commonwealth University celebrated student success Thursday with the annual Honors Convocation held in Conway Boatman Chapel. One sports team, one professor, one student group, and 49 individual students were recognized for their academic achievements and demonstration of Union’s core values.
By Frank Osborne 24 Apr, 2024
This week, Union students, faculty, and staff were honored to have a Leadership Conference with Lisa Abbott, a community organizer in the heart of Eastern Kentucky, who acts as a beacon of hope for racial, environmental and economic justice.
By Rachel Dorroh 23 Apr, 2024
Union Commonwealth University has received a three-year Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) matching grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help address the healthcare worker shortage in Kentucky. The grant will fund Union’s NextGen Telehealth Education Project, which is designed to increase educational access and train nurses and mental health professionals. A long list of new equipment and technology upgrades for both the Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing and Union’s psychology program is included.
By Rachel Dorroh 15 Apr, 2024
Ten new plays, ten local playwrights, four days - Union Commonwealth University’s inaugural New Play Festival hits the stage April 25-28 and features over 40 participants from both Union and the surrounding community.
Photo of Cobb pictured left, and Amelia Napier right
By David Saylor 10 Apr, 2024
Union Commonwealth University is proud to announce that students Tia Cobb and Amelia Napier are the recipients of the 2024 Appalachian College Association (ACA) Ledford Research Scholarship.
photo of a stack of pancakes and cup of coffee on a placemat
By Rachel Williams 04 Apr, 2024
Union’s Introduction to Photography class had a hands-on session this Tuesday. Students learned how to compose, light, and frame photos for food photography. What appeared to be a delicious breakfast used some strange ingredients to capture the perfect shot.
By Rachel Dorroh 27 Mar, 2024
Marcia Hawkins made history in 2012 when she became the first woman to serve as President of Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky. This wasn’t the first time she had made history, though. Hawkins was also the first in her family to pursue a college education, and she did it while working full-time and caring for her young child.
two students on a flyer with info about Pizza and a Pitch.
25 Mar, 2024
Hosted by the SOAR Innovation Team, Pizza and a Pitch will be held Tuesday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. in the Black Technology Classroom at Union Commonwealth University, and all are welcome. Combining food, fun, and innovation, the event offers a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to present their business ideas or existing projects to a receptive audience.
photo slide of Dr. Cedeno
By Frank Osborne 21 Mar, 2024
This week, Union Commonwealth University had the privilege of hosting Aristófanes Cedeño, a distinguished scholar who has expertise in leadership development, for an enlightening discourse on the Healthy Leaders Model. With references to his academic background and extensive experience, Dr. Cedeño provided insights into the essence of effective leadership, while highlighting the importance of personal well-being.
More Posts
Share by: