CU vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Wisconsin is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (5,253 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cumberland University 19:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

CU vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU or CUW? 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 CUW ($18,499 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 3% lower than at Concordia University Wisconsin ($12,800 vs. $13,200).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU (about $7,630 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.4% higher at CUW than at Cumberland University (about $7,630 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Concordia University Wisconsin (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 15.5% larger than aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students ($24,703 vs. $21,379).

CU vs. CUW Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsConcordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU - Test-free; CUW - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CUW students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at CU (3.3).
• CUW has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 14.1% at CUW.

CU vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU and CUW? 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).

• Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $2,196 lower median loan debt than CUW graduates ($21,729 vs. $23,925).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CUW graduates ($224 vs. $247).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 52%)

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.