Benedict College vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Benedict College in Columbia, SC with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cumberland University is larger than Benedict College based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 1,691 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Benedict College is located in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Benedict College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Benedict College 13:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Benedict College vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedict College 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 Cumberland University than Benedict College ($18,499 vs. $18,665).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedict College are 44.2% lower than at Cumberland University ($7,146 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 59.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedict College (about $10,400 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.6% higher at CU than at Benedict College (about $10,400 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Benedict College (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 85.2% larger than aid received by Benedict College students ($24,703 vs. $13,335).

Benedict College vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Benedict College 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 Benedict College.

• Benedict College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedict College 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Benedict College 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Benedict College - Open admission; CU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Benedict College Feb 15, 2027.
• Benedict College has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8% at Benedict College vs. 40.5% at CU.

Benedict College vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Benedict College 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 Benedict College's (26%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Benedict College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $25,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $21,169 lower median loan debt than Benedict College graduates ($21,729 vs. $42,898).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $219 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedict College graduates ($224 vs. $443).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedict College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 13%)

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.