Spalding vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cumberland University is larger than Spalding based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 1,553 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spalding University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spalding University 9:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Spalding vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spalding 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 Spalding ($18,499 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 24.1% lower than at Cumberland University ($9,710 vs. $12,800).
• Spalding University is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU (about $1,360 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at Spalding than at Cumberland University (about $1,360 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University as at Cumberland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 27.1% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($24,703 vs. $19,429).

Spalding vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spalding 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 Spalding.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spalding - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at CU (3.3).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 40.5% at CU.

Spalding vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spalding 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).

• Spalding University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $3,271 lower median loan debt than Spalding graduates ($21,729 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spalding graduates ($224 vs. $258).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding 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.