The Catholic University of America vs. CU

Deciding between The Catholic University of America and Cumberland University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

The Catholic University of America
Cumberland University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • The Catholic University of America Large City
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • The Catholic University of America 5,243
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • The Catholic University of America Private 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • The Catholic University of America Roman Catholic
  • CU -
  • Status
  • The Catholic University of America Non-profit
  • CU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & Board
  • The Catholic University of America $18,200
  • CU $12,800
  • Average Net Price
  • The Catholic University of America $32,705
  • CU $18,499
  • Average Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America $42,657
  • CU $24,703
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • The Catholic University of America 99%
  • CU 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • The Catholic University of America 6,714
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • The Catholic University of America 5,558
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 82.8%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Enrolled
  • The Catholic University of America 13.4%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • Average High School GPA
  • The Catholic University of America 3.52
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical High School Grades
  • The Catholic University of America A-
  • CU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • The Catholic University of America Unavailable
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU Low
  • ACT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • SAT Range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • Submit Test Scores
  • The Catholic University of America Test-free
  • CU Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • CU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • The Catholic University of America 11:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • The Catholic University of America
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Architecture (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • The Catholic University of America 68%
  • CU 34%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,600
  • CU $39,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • The Catholic University of America 77%
  • CU 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • The Catholic University of America $26,106
  • CU $21,729
  • Median Loan Payment
  • The Catholic University of America $269
  • CU $224

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • The Catholic University of America 48%
  • CU 47%
  • % Women
  • The Catholic University of America 52%
  • CU 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • The Catholic University of America Medium
  • CU Low
  • HBCU
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • CU No
  • % White
  • The Catholic University of America 64%
  • CU 63%
  • % Asian
  • The Catholic University of America 3%
  • CU 1%
  • % Black
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • CU 12%
  • % Hispanic
  • The Catholic University of America 13%
  • CU 3%
  • % Native American
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • CU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • The Catholic University of America 0%
  • CU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • CU 0%
  • % International
  • The Catholic University of America 5%
  • CU 4%
  • % Unknown Race
  • The Catholic University of America 4%
  • CU 16%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • The Catholic University of America 8%
  • CU 91%
  • % Out-of-State
  • The Catholic University of America 84%
  • CU 8%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • CU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • CU No
  • Meal Plan
  • The Catholic University of America Yes
  • CU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • CU No
  • Daycare Facility
  • The Catholic University of America No
  • CU No

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America ($18,499 vs. $32,705).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 29.7% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($12,800 vs. $18,200).
  • The Catholic University of America is 109.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU (about $30,538 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $27,840.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 109.7% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Cumberland University (about $30,538 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $27,840.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at The Catholic University of America (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 72.7% larger than aid received by Cumberland University students ($42,657 vs. $24,703).

The Catholic University of America vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America 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 The Catholic University of America.

  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; CU - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman The Catholic University of America students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at CU (3.3).
  • The Catholic University of America has a higher acceptance rate (82.8%) than CU (67.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 40.5% at CU.

The Catholic University of America vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America 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).

  • The Catholic University of America's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
  • Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $4,377 lower median loan debt than The Catholic University of America graduates ($21,729 vs. $26,106).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The Catholic University of America graduates ($224 vs. $269).
  • More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 60%)

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.