CU vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Tennessee State University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cumberland University 19:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

CU vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU or Tennessee State 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 Tennessee State University than CU ($14,586 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 12.9% lower than at Cumberland University ($11,150 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 223.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $19,224 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.2% higher at CU than at Tennessee State University (about $5,424 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Tennessee State University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 155.7% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($24,703 vs. $9,661).

CU vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU or Tennessee State 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 Tennessee State University and CU.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU - Test-free; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (70.1%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

CU vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU and Tennessee State 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).

• Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $6,271 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($21,729 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($224 vs. $289).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 29%)

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.