Southeast Missouri State University vs. CU

Should I go to Southeast Missouri State University or Cumberland University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southeast Missouri State University or CU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southeast Missouri State University vs. Cumberland University comparison
Southeast Missouri State University Cumberland University College 3 College 4
Southeast Missouri State University Cumberland University
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Overview

Southeast Missouri State University CU
Location Cape Girardeau, MO Lebanon, TN
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 9,686 3,072
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #954
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website semo.edu cumberland.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southeast Missouri State University CU
Tuition (In State) $8,152 $26,640
Tuition (Out of State) $8,152 $26,640
Room & Board $11,486 $10,360
Avg Net Price $14,843 $17,669
Avg Grant Aid $8,974 $23,749
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

Southeast Missouri State University CU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,462 2,788
Admitted 5,858 1,868
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 67%
Enrolled % 22% 36%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/21
SAT Range 850/1030
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Southeast Missouri State University CU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Health Professions (46%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)

Outcomes

Southeast Missouri State University CU
Graduation Rate 46% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $39,900
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,527 $21,729
Median Loan Payment $232 $224

Diversity

Southeast Missouri State University CU
% Men 8% 8%
% Women 9% 6%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 77% 63%
% Black 10% 12%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 16%

Students

Southeast Missouri State University CU
% In-State 76% 88%
% Out-of-State 18% 8%

Campus

Southeast Missouri State University CU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southeast Missouri State University is larger than than CU based on total student enrollment (9,686 students vs. 3,072 students)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeast Missouri State University or CU?

  • Cumberland University is 226.8% more expensive to attend than Southeast Missouri State University for in-state tuition ($26,640.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 226.8% higher at CU than Southeast Missouri State University ($26,640.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southeast Missouri State University than CU ($14,843 vs. $17,669)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 10.9% lower than costs at Southeast Missouri State University ($10,360 vs. $11,486)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cumberland University than Southeast Missouri State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 164.6% larger than aid received Southeast Missouri State University ($23,749 vs. $8,974)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. CU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southeast Missouri State University or CU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CU or Southeast Missouri State University .

  • The average SAT score at Southeast Missouri State University (1050) is 61 points higher than at CU (989)
  • Incoming Southeast Missouri State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at CU (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at CU (3.3)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than CU (67%)

Southeast Missouri State University vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southeast Missouri State University or CU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CU and Southeast Missouri State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southeast Missouri State University is higher than Cumberland University (46% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Southeast Missouri State University earn on average $600 more per year than CU graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $39,900)
  • Cumberland University students graduate with a $798 lower median federal student loan debt than Southeast Missouri State University graduates. ($21,729 vs. $22,527)
  • CU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans than Southeast Missouri State University graduates. ($224 vs. $232)
  • More Southeast Missouri State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/