CU vs. FWBBC

Comparable Facts

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

Cumberland University is larger than FWBBC based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 389 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting); Welch College is in Gallatin, TN (Large City setting).
• Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Welch College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cumberland University 19:1; Welch College 8:1.

CU vs. FWBBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU or FWBBC? 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 FWBBC ($18,499 vs. $21,157).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Welch College are 32.3% lower than at Cumberland University ($8,668 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 30.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than FWBBC (about $6,440 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $21,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.1% higher at CU than at Welch College (about $6,440 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $21,400.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University as at Welch College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 59.8% larger than aid received by Welch College students ($24,703 vs. $15,462).

CU vs. FWBBC Admissions comparison

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

• Welch College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU - Test-free; FWBBC - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman FWBBC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at CU (3.3).

CU vs. FWBBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU and FWBBC? 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).

• Welch College's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than FWBBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $31,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $541 lower median loan debt than FWBBC graduates ($21,729 vs. $22,270).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FWBBC graduates ($224 vs. $230).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FWBBC students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

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.