JCSU vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnson C Smith University in Charlotte, NC with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cumberland University is larger than JCSU based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 1,302 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johnson C Smith University is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Johnson C Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnson C Smith University 12:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

JCSU vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JCSU 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 Cumberland University than JCSU ($18,499 vs. $19,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Johnson C Smith University are 32.8% lower than at Cumberland University ($8,600 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 30.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than JCSU (about $6,540 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.7% higher at CU than at Johnson C Smith University (about $6,540 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $21,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Johnson C Smith University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 62.1% larger than aid received by Johnson C Smith University students ($24,703 vs. $15,238).

JCSU vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JCSU 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 JCSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 800/980.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johnson C Smith University 13/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JCSU - Test-free; CU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.82 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at JCSU (2.48).
• CU has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than JCSU (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.8% at JCSU vs. 40.5% at CU.

JCSU vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JCSU 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).

• Johnson C Smith University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than JCSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $10,321 lower median loan debt than JCSU graduates ($21,729 vs. $32,050).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than JCSU graduates ($224 vs. $331).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former JCSU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 26%)

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.