Life University vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Life University in Marietta, GA with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cumberland University is larger than Life University based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 2,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Life University vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Life 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 Life University ($18,499 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 13.8% lower than at Life University ($12,800 vs. $14,850).
• Cumberland University is 85.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Life University (about $12,804 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.2% higher at CU than at Life University (about $12,804 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Life University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 118.8% larger than aid received by Life University students ($24,703 vs. $11,292).

Life University vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Life 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 Life University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 920/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life University 17/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life University - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Life University (3.11).
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.1% at Life University vs. 40.5% at CU.

Life University vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Life 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).

• Life University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Life University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $13,395 lower median loan debt than CU graduates ($8,334 vs. $21,729).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $138 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU graduates ($86 vs. $224).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 33%)

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.