Union College, Kentucky

Since its origin in 1879, Union College has ignited students from throughout Appalachia, and all over the country, with a collegiate experience to ensure lifelong success. Union is grounded by four pillars that define our focus as an academic institution: service to each other and our communities; our Appalachian culture and heritage; our core affiliation with Methodism and the liberal arts academic experience. The four pillars highlight Union’s strengths, values, mission and identity.

Union serves each of its students with a sincere commitment to strengthen those pillars, to spark passion and inspire lifelong learning in all they do. More than 70 percent of our students call Kentucky home, many of which are first generation college students. That special connection to the families we serve, and whose lives we help change, are valued by every staff and faculty member on campus.

The connection is further evident in our trustees’ commitment to generations of Union students with assurance that 100 percent of our students receive grants and scholarships to alleviate concerns of financing a liberal arts education.

We encourage all of our students to find the warmth that comes in sharing our Appalachian culture and traditions - to find the peace that comes with a breath of mountain air while enjoying our natural surroundings; to kindle the bonds of friendship created here to last a lifetime and to light up the classroom with an enthusiasm for learning and a bright vision of their future.

Union College students want to change their worlds, to improve not only their lives and futures, but also their families’ circumstances and their communities. Doing that takes drive, strength and faith.

You can’t hide here – most of our classes have no more than 20 students. You’ll know your professors and they’ll know you. Our faculty are experts in their fields and at feeding the fire within their students. You should expect this from the best liberal arts colleges and will find it here at Union.

Your professors’ spirit and passion for their subjects will spread like wildfire around you – in the best possible way. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself immersed in a subject you’d never even considered before. Our curriculum tends to do that. Union’s liberal arts core means that no matter what your major, you’ll take classes in subjects like history, English, science, math, language and culture, psychology and religion.

At some point you're probably going to need help along your path to graduation. That's where Union's different academic services come in. Whatever the problem you encounter, we will try our best to help you succeed. The different academic services we offer are geared at helping students outside of the classroom. Whether through one to one academic counseling, peer mentoring or group tutoring, we can help. All of the services offered are free of charge to any Union College student.

Life is busy right now. And it's about to get busier with the addition of yet another task: finding the perfect college.

At Union, you'll find just the right balance of exciting classes blended with limitless options for making new friends and discovering more about yourself. Spend the summer studying international communications in Austria-Bregenz. Tutor a local student or spend a weekend on a service trip to Washington, DC, focusing on social justice. Whatever your goals, Union can get you there.

If you're wondering about how to get financial aid in Kentucky, at Union, we're committed to working with you from the very beginning. We provide counseling and offer the highest level of personal service to your family. Our comprehensive financial aid program offers traditional sources of financial aid for college, as well as financial aid for master's degree programs. If you're searching for scholarship opportunities in Kentucky, Union's own scholarships and grants, combined with federal and state assistance and wise financial planning, enable most qualified students to enjoy the full benefits of a liberal arts education.

We have expanded opportunities for online learners that allows you to take Union College wherever you go. Our online programs offer you an opportunity to return to college and earn your degree; convenient class schedules organized to meet your daily routine; career-oriented programs and academic advisors that will help you succeed. Union College Online offers students options in online degree coursework on several academic levels. All of our online programs are affordable, convenient for all students and feature Union's personal connection. It is the same college you love, with the campus you know, all online.

Consider Union College when charting the course for achieving your academic goals. At Union, you can tap into a network of experienced instructors and fellow students. You will experience a multifunctional, highly collaborative learning environment which incorporates a practical focus and high academic standards in a combination of online and on-site classes to maximize your learning experience.

Your studies are just the start. There’s so much more to life. Your world outside the classroom at Union defines what the best liberal arts colleges are all about. Our gorgeous mountains, rivers and lakes are a playground for hiking, biking, kayaking or just hanging a hammock and relaxing.