Cumberland College vs. NKU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY with Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the Cumberlands is larger than NKU based on total student enrollment (22,120 students vs. 15,347 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Cumberlands is located in Williamsburg, KY (Remote Town setting); Northern Kentucky University is in Highland Heights, KY (Large Suburban setting).
• University of the Cumberlands is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Cumberlands 23:1; Northern Kentucky University 19:1.

Cumberland College vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cumberland College or NKU? 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 Northern Kentucky University than Cumberland College ($9,211 vs. $14,743).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Cumberlands are 26.8% lower than at Northern Kentucky University ($9,300 vs. $12,712).
• Northern Kentucky University is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cumberland College (about $1,213 more per year; $11,088.00 vs. $9,875.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.9% higher at NKU than at University of the Cumberlands (about $12,037 more per year; $21,912.00 vs. $9,875.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Cumberlands than at Northern Kentucky University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Cumberlands students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Northern Kentucky University students ($11,293 vs. $10,332).

Cumberland College vs. NKU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cumberland College or NKU? 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 NKU and Cumberland College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of the Cumberlands (1060) is 10 points higher than at NKU (1050).
• Incoming NKU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at Cumberland College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Cumberlands 960/1160; Northern Kentucky University 953/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Cumberlands 16/23; Northern Kentucky University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cumberland College - Test-free; NKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cumberland College Aug 31, 2027; NKU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cumberland College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at NKU (3.42).
• Cumberland College has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than NKU (67.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.3% at Cumberland College vs. 36.8% at NKU.

Cumberland College vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cumberland College and NKU? 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).

• University of the Cumberlands's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Northern Kentucky University's (37%).
• Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Cumberland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,700 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Cumberlands graduates have a $10,994 lower median loan debt than NKU graduates ($13,956 vs. $24,950).
• Among borrowers, Cumberland College graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NKU graduates ($144 vs. $257).
• More NKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cumberland College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 52%)

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.