Cumberland University
A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus. freshman retention is below 65%. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
Cumberland University is a private nonprofit institution located in Lebanon, Tennessee with approximately 2,104 undergraduate students enrolled. Cumberland University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 67%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,759 per year. The graduation rate is 46%, and the typical graduate earns $43,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1842. The oldest campus buildings were constructed between 1892 and 1896.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $18,292/year net price and a median debt of just $11,250 at graduation, the cost is genuinely manageable, but a 47% graduation rate and 62% freshman retention rate suggest many students don't finish — worth asking why before enrolling. Median earnings of $43,000 a decade out are modest, so this is a harder sell for high-cost majors, but could make sense if you're drawn to specific programs, want a small campus feel in a affordable package, and have a clear plan to stay on track.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: -16% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 61 | $78,954 | $88,910 | −$9,956 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 44 | $60,477 | $68,257 | −$7,780 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 22 | $51,366 | $76,194 | −$24,828 |
| Psychology, General | 21 | $42,713 | $50,706 | −$7,993 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 16 | $51,032 | $55,378 | −$4,346 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 1 | $41,369 | $51,389 | −$10,020 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2,104 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Cumberland University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Cumberland University?
Cumberland University has an acceptance rate of 67%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Cumberland University hard to get into?
Cumberland University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 67%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Cumberland University cost?
The average net price at Cumberland University is about $18,759 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Cumberland University?
Cumberland University has a graduation rate of 46%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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