National Louis University vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare National Louis University in Chicago, IL with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

National Louis University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (8,915 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• National Louis University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• National Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: National Louis University 17:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

National Louis University vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National Louis 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 National Louis University than CU ($13,150 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 12.9% lower than at National Louis University ($12,800 vs. $14,700).
• Cumberland University is 119.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than National Louis University (about $15,135 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 119.1% higher at CU than at National Louis University (about $15,135 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at National Louis University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 123.4% larger than aid received by National Louis University students ($24,703 vs. $11,056).

National Louis University vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, National Louis 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 National Louis University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: National Louis University - Test-free; CU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at National Louis University (2.8).
• National Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at National Louis University vs. 40.5% at CU.

National Louis University vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for National Louis 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).

• Cumberland University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than National Louis University's (26%).
• Graduates from National Louis University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, National Louis University graduates have a $1,892 lower median loan debt than CU graduates ($19,837 vs. $21,729).
• Among borrowers, National Louis University graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU graduates ($205 vs. $224).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 44%)

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.