CU vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University

Comparable Facts

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

Cumberland University is larger than Tennessee Wesleyan University based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 1,198 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting); Tennessee Wesleyan University is in Athens, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cumberland University 19:1; Tennessee Wesleyan University 12:1.

CU vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU or Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University than CU ($15,125 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee Wesleyan University are 26.1% lower than at Cumberland University ($9,458 vs. $12,800).
• Tennessee Wesleyan University is 10.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU (about $2,974 more per year; $30,814.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at Tennessee Wesleyan University than at Cumberland University (about $2,974 more per year; $30,814.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University as at Tennessee Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 0% larger than aid received by Tennessee Wesleyan University students ($24,703 vs. $24,692).

CU vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee Wesleyan University 960/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee Wesleyan University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU - Test-free; Tennessee Wesleyan University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Wesleyan University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CU (3.3).
• Tennessee Wesleyan University has a higher acceptance rate (68.8%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 30.3% at Tennessee Wesleyan University.

CU vs. Tennessee Wesleyan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU and Tennessee Wesleyan 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 Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Wesleyan University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have a $2,979 lower median loan debt than CU graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,729).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU graduates ($193 vs. $224).
• More Tennessee Wesleyan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.