Cumberland University vs University of the Cumberlands

Cumberland University and University of the Cumberlands, both located in Tennessee, offer distinct educational experiences. Cumberland University, with an acceptance rate of 75%, boasts a diverse student body with 2,000 undergraduates and a graduation rate of 45%. It excels in programs like Business, Education, and Nursing. On the other hand, University of the Cumberlands, with a higher acceptance rate of 86%, has a smaller student population of 1,500 undergraduates and a graduation rate of 40%. It shines in areas such as Business, Criminal Justice, and Social Work. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and goals.
Cumberland University logo

Cumberland University

University of the Cumberlands logo

University of the Cumberlands

Overview

Location Lebanon, Tennessee Williamsburg, Kentucky
Campus setting Town: Fringe Town: Remote
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 61.0% 67.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation Baptist

Admission

Acceptance rate 57.8% 85.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $50
$30
SAT range N/A 940 - 1200
ACT range N/A 17 - 24
Students submitting SAT score 5.0%
Students submitting ACT score 71.0%
Total number of applicants 2,692 2,177
Total number of admissions given out 1,555 1,851
Admitted students who chose to enroll 591 613
Yield rate 38.0% 33.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $43,022 $27,929
Average net price $28,459 $13,631
Tuition $24,336 $9,875
Room & board $9,000 $9,300
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $11,563
100.0%
Average amount $10,633
Students receiving federal student loan 19.0%
Average amount $5,119
51.0%
Average amount $5,792
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $11,182
3.0%
Average amount $7,618

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,257
Men 40.7% Women 59.3%
4,838
Men 34.9% Women 65.1%
Graduate students 283
Men 42.8% Women 57.2%
14,434
Men 56.1% Women 43.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 6.3% N/A
International students 3.6% 24.5%
Campus local/setting Town: Fringe Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 551 1,448
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Tennessee Georgia Alabama Florida Texas N/A

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Education
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 20:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 51.5% 48.0%
Dropout rate 20.5% 18.5%
Transferred out 27.5% 31.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,788
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $62,414
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,549
  • Year 2: $56,415
  • Year 3: $61,438
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $48,548
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $41,565
  • Year 3: $47,311
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,566
  • Year 2: $41,261
  • Year 3: $44,695
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,267
  • Year 2: $31,314
  • Year 3: $42,790
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,752
  • Year 2: $28,598
  • Year 3: $37,954
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,951
  • Year 2: $41,937
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $28,960
  • Year 3: N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $33,915
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,858
  • Year 2: $64,791
  • Year 3: $66,365
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,719
  • Year 2: $50,856
  • Year 3: $58,016
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,935
  • Year 2: $43,338
  • Year 3: $44,041
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,376
  • Year 2: $36,104
  • Year 3: $42,810
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,204
  • Year 2: $41,472
  • Year 3: $42,251
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,627
  • Year 2: $40,446
  • Year 3: $42,173
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $39,009
  • Year 3: $39,570
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,782
  • Year 2: $37,354
  • Year 3: $38,689
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,064
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: $37,254
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,264
  • Year 2: $28,055
  • Year 3: $32,174

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the main differences between Cumberland University and University of the Cumberlands?

    Cumberland University, located in Lebanon, Tennessee, is a smaller, private university with a strong focus on liberal arts and professional programs. University of the Cumberlands, located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, is a larger, private university affiliated with the Baptist Church, offering a broader range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a more extensive selection of pre-professional tracks and a larger online presence.

  • Where are Cumberland University and University of the Cumberlands located?

    Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, Tennessee, a city about 30 miles east of Nashville. University of the Cumberlands is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, a town in southeastern Kentucky.

  • What is the religious affiliation of each university?

    Cumberland University is historically affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, but operates independently today. University of the Cumberlands is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

  • How do the sizes of Cumberland University and University of the Cumberlands compare?

    Cumberland University is significantly smaller, with an enrollment of around 2,500 students. University of the Cumberlands is larger, with an enrollment of approximately 16,000 students, including a substantial number of graduate and online students.

  • What types of academic programs are offered at each university?

    Cumberland University offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with strengths in business, nursing, education, and the liberal arts. University of the Cumberlands offers a wider variety of programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, with notable programs in business, education, counseling, and criminal justice. They also have a more robust online program offering.

  • How do the athletic programs compare between the two universities?

    Both universities offer a variety of athletic programs. Cumberland University competes in the NAIA's Mid-South Conference. University of the Cumberlands also competes in the NAIA's Mid-South Conference. Both offer a similar range of sports, including football, basketball, soccer, and various other sports for men and women.

  • What is the campus environment like at Cumberland University versus University of the Cumberlands?

    Cumberland University offers a more intimate campus environment due to its smaller size, fostering close relationships between students and faculty. University of the Cumberlands, being larger, provides a more diverse campus environment with a wider range of student organizations and activities. Williamsburg, KY is a smaller town than Lebanon, TN, so the surrounding community environment differs as well.

  • What is the cost of attendance like at each university?

    Tuition and fees can vary, so it's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date information. Generally, private universities like these can have similar tuition costs, but financial aid packages can significantly impact the net price. Be sure to compare financial aid offers from both institutions.

  • What are the admission requirements for Cumberland University and University of the Cumberlands?

    Admission requirements typically include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and letters of recommendation. Specific requirements may vary depending on the program, so it's best to consult the admissions websites of both universities for detailed information.

  • Does either university have a strong focus on online learning?

    While both universities offer online courses, University of the Cumberlands has a more established and extensive online learning program, offering a wider range of degrees and certificates fully online. Cumberland University also offers online programs, but to a lesser extent.

  • What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

    Both universities offer a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities. University of the Cumberlands, due to its larger size, generally has a greater number of options available. Cumberland University provides a more close-knit community where students can easily get involved in campus life.

  • How do the career services and alumni networks compare?

    Both universities offer career services to assist students with internships, job placement, and career planning. The strength and reach of the alumni networks can vary by program and location. It's recommended to research alumni connections in your specific field of interest for both universities.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Lyon College Lyon College
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Ouachita Baptist University Ouachita Baptist University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Lynn University Lynn University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Saint Leo University Saint Leo University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Point University Point University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Piedmont University Piedmont University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Reinhardt University Reinhardt University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Shorter University Shorter University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Campbellsville University Campbellsville University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Georgetown College Georgetown College
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Lindsey Wilson College Lindsey Wilson College
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Thomas More University Thomas More University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Belhaven University Belhaven University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs William Carey University William Carey University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Gardner-Webb University Gardner-Webb University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Montreat College Montreat College
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Oklahoma Baptist University Oklahoma Baptist University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Southern Wesleyan University Southern Wesleyan University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs North Greenville University North Greenville University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Baptist Health Sciences University Baptist Health Sciences University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Bryan College-Dayton Bryan College-Dayton
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Carson-Newman University Carson-Newman University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Christian Brothers University Christian Brothers University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Freed-Hardeman University Freed-Hardeman University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs University of Charleston University of Charleston
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Marian University Marian University
Cumberland University Cumberland University vs Mid-America Christian University Mid-America Christian University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Saint Leo University Saint Leo University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Reinhardt University Reinhardt University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Truett McConnell University Truett McConnell University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Alice Lloyd College Alice Lloyd College
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Brescia University Brescia University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Campbellsville University Campbellsville University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Clear Creek Baptist Bible College Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Olivet College Olivet College
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Campbell University Campbell University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Livingstone College Livingstone College
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Montreat College Montreat College
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Mid-Atlantic Christian University Mid-Atlantic Christian University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs St. Andrews University St. Andrews University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs North Greenville University North Greenville University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Voorhees College Voorhees College
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Bryan College-Dayton Bryan College-Dayton
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Freed-Hardeman University Freed-Hardeman University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs King University King University
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs University of Mary Hardin-Baylor University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs Ferrum College Ferrum College
University of the Cumberlands University of the Cumberlands vs University of Charleston University of Charleston