CU vs. Bluefield University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN with Bluefield University in Bluefield, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cumberland University is larger than Bluefield University based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting); Bluefield University is in Bluefield, VA (Remote Town setting).
• Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Bluefield University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cumberland University 19:1; Bluefield University 14:1.

CU vs. Bluefield University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU or Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University ($18,499 vs. $22,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluefield University are 25.9% lower than at Cumberland University ($9,480 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bluefield University (about $1,070 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at CU than at Bluefield University (about $1,070 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $26,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Bluefield University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Bluefield University students ($24,703 vs. $20,341).

CU vs. Bluefield University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU or Bluefield University? 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 Bluefield University and CU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU - Test-free; Bluefield University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Bluefield University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CU (3.3).
• CU has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than Bluefield University (59.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 18.5% at Bluefield University.

CU vs. Bluefield University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU and Bluefield University? 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).

• Bluefield University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Bluefield University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have a $895 lower median loan debt than CU graduates ($20,834 vs. $21,729).
• Among borrowers, Bluefield University graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU graduates ($215 vs. $224).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bluefield University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 51%)

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.