Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 2,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, NC (Small City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University ($18,499 vs. $21,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 4.5% lower than at Lenoir Rhyne University ($12,800 vs. $13,400).
• Lenoir Rhyne University is 14.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU (about $4,060 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than at Cumberland University (about $4,060 more per year; $31,900.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University as at Cumberland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students ($24,703 vs. $23,467).

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lenoir-Rhyne University 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free; CU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Lenoir-Rhyne University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at CU (3.3).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. 40.5% at CU.

Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lenoir-Rhyne University 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).

• Lenoir Rhyne University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $5,271 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($21,729 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($224 vs. $279).
• More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.