Eastern vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Eastern vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern or CU? 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 Eastern Kentucky University than CU ($12,279 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 4.2% lower than at Cumberland University ($12,268 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 169.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $17,520 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.1% higher at CU than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $6,610 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $21,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Eastern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 115.4% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($24,703 vs. $11,468).

Eastern vs. CU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Eastern students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at CU (3.3).
• Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 40.5% at CU.

Eastern vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern and CU? 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).

• Eastern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $1,966 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($21,729 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($224 vs. $245).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 49%)

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.