Union Commonwealth University (UCU) will reduce its undergraduate tuition and comprehensive fee from $32,000 to $19,000 beginning in the 27-28 academic year, following approval by the university’s Board of Trustees. The approximately 41% reduction represents a $13,000 decrease in annual tuition and comprehensive fee and marks a significant step in the university’s ongoing commitment to making higher education more accessible and affordable.



The tuition reset is a key component of UCU’s new strategic plan, supporting its goals of strengthening financial sustainability, expanding access and helping more students see a private university education as an attainable option.

“As a university, we want students and families to consider Union from the very beginning of their college search,” said Dr. DJ Washington, President of Union Commonwealth University. “We know the published price of college can be intimidating, even when scholarships and financial aid make the actual cost much more affordable. This tuition reset allows us to better communicate the value of a UCU education while continuing our commitment to serving students and families.”

The decision follows nearly one and a half years of analysis and planning by the university’s financial team. Rather than a short-term promotional strategy, the reset reflects a deliberate evaluation of UCU’s tuition and comprehensive fee structure and how the university can better communicate affordability to prospective students.

Across higher education, published tuition rates often shape a family’s first impression of what college will cost. As a private institution, UCU provides scholarships and financial aid that can significantly reduce students’ actual expenses. In many cases, the resulting cost of attendance can be competitive with, or lower than, that of public institutions. However, the university recognizes that the published tuition and comprehensive fee rate can discourage prospective students from considering UCU before they have the opportunity to explore available financial assistance.

By reducing its published tuition and comprehensive fee rate, UCU aims to lessen that initial barrier, provide greater transparency and encourage more students and families to consider the opportunities available through a Union Commonwealth University education.

“This is about making the cost of a UCU education easier to understand from the start,” Washington said. “We want families to explore what Union Commonwealth University has to offer without assuming that a private university is beyond their reach.”

What the tuition reset means for current students

Current students will not see an increase in their out-of-pocket educational expenses as a result of the tuition reset. Student financial aid and award packages will be adjusted to reflect the new tuition structure. 

Students participating in UCU's Tuition-Free Pathway programs will not be impacted by the tuition reset. These students participate in a separate tuition model, and their existing pathway scholarship benefits will remain in place according to the program's established terms and eligibility requirements.

The university will provide students with additional information about updated award packages as implementation moves forward.