Alabama State vs. CU

Comparable Facts

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

Alabama State University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (4,081 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Alabama State vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State 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 State University than CU ($13,138 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 38.9% lower than at Cumberland University ($7,816 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 147.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama State (about $16,592 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $11,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.2% higher at CU than at Alabama State University (about $8,264 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $19,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Alabama State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 113.3% larger than aid received by Alabama State University students ($24,703 vs. $11,583).

Alabama State vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State 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 Alabama State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Alabama State (2.95).
• Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 40.5% at CU.

Alabama State vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State 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 State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $10,362 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($21,729 vs. $32,091).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($224 vs. $331).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 20%)

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.