CU vs. West Virginia University Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Cumberland University is larger than West Virginia University Tech based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 1,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CU vs. West Virginia University Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU or West Virginia University Tech? 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 University Institute of Technology than CU ($11,281 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 1.4% lower than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology ($12,800 vs. $12,986).
• Cumberland University is 230.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than West Virginia University Tech (about $19,416 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.1% higher at CU than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (about $6,768 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at West Virginia University Institute of Technology (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 145.4% larger than aid received by West Virginia University Institute of Technology students ($24,703 vs. $10,068).

CU vs. West Virginia University Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU or West Virginia University Tech? 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 West Virginia University Tech and CU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University Institute of Technology 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University Institute of Technology 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU - Test-free; West Virginia University Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: West Virginia University Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman West Virginia University Tech students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at CU (3.3).
• CU has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than West Virginia University Tech (36.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 52.3% at West Virginia University Tech.

CU vs. West Virginia University Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU and West Virginia University Tech? 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 University Institute of Technology's (29%).
• Graduates from West Virginia University Institute of Technology earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $2,272 lower median loan debt than West Virginia University Tech graduates ($21,729 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than West Virginia University Tech graduates ($224 vs. $248).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Virginia University Tech students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 59%)

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.