CU vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cumberland University is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cumberland University 19:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

CU vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU or WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University than CU ($11,055 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 5.3% lower than at West Virginia State University ($12,800 vs. $13,522).
• Cumberland University is 190.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $18,270 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.7% higher at CU than at West Virginia State University (about $12,850 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at West Virginia State University (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 174.7% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($24,703 vs. $8,993).

CU vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at WVSU (3.24).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

CU vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU and WVSU? 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).

• Cumberland University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $1,521 lower median loan debt than WVSU graduates ($21,729 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVSU graduates ($224 vs. $240).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 35%)

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.