AAMU vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alabama A & M University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (7,295 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

AAMU vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or CU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alabama A & M University than CU ($17,152 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama A & M University are 10.9% lower than at Cumberland University ($11,402 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 177.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than AAMU (about $17,816 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $10,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.4% higher at CU than at Alabama A & M University (about $9,206 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $18,634.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Alabama A & M University (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 92.3% larger than aid received by Alabama A & M University students ($24,703 vs. $12,844).

AAMU vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or CU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CU and AAMU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 810/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at AAMU (3.02).
• CU has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than AAMU (58%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at AAMU vs. 40.5% at CU.

AAMU vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and CU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Cumberland University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Alabama A & M University's (32%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than AAMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $13,271 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($21,729 vs. $35,000).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($224 vs. $361).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.