Cumberland College vs. NKU

Should I go to University of the Cumberlands or Northern Kentucky University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cumberland College or NKU 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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University of the Cumberlands vs. Northern Kentucky University comparison
University of the Cumberlands Northern Kentucky University College 3 College 4
University of the Cumberlands Northern Kentucky University
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Overview

Cumberland College NKU
Location Williamsburg, KY Highland Heights, KY
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 18,053 15,801
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #952 #805
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucumberlands.edu nku.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cumberland College NKU
Tuition (In State) $9,875 $10,208
Tuition (Out of State) $9,875 $20,464
Room & Board $9,300 $11,248
Avg Net Price $14,337 $7,259
Avg Grant Aid $9,822 $11,275
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Cumberland College NKU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,314 6,905
Admitted 1,921 5,939
Acceptance Rate 83% 86%
Enrolled % 33.3% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.42
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 19/25
SAT Range 960/1160 1030/1290
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 31, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Cumberland College NKU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Cumberland College NKU
Graduation Rate 43% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,700 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $13,956 $24,950
Median Loan Payment $144 $257

Diversity

Cumberland College NKU
% Men 46% 36%
% Women 54% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 82%
% Black 6% 7%
% Hispanic 2% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 10% 1%

Students

Cumberland College NKU
% In-State 65% 66%
% Out-of-State 28% 26%

Campus

Cumberland College NKU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of the Cumberlands is larger than than NKU based on total student enrollment (18,053 students vs. 15,801 students)

Cumberland College vs. NKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cumberland College or NKU?

  • Northern Kentucky University is 3.4% more expensive to attend than Cumberland College for in-state tuition ($10,208.00 vs. $9,875.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 107.2% higher at NKU than University of the Cumberlands ($20,464.00 vs. $9,875.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Cumberland College ($7,259 vs. $14,337)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Cumberlands are 20.9% lower than costs at Northern Kentucky University ($9,300 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than University of the Cumberlands (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 14.8% larger than aid received University of the Cumberlands ($11,275 vs. $9,822)

Cumberland College vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cumberland College or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Cumberland College .

  • The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 46 points higher than at Cumberland College (1022)
  • Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Cumberland College (22)
  • Accepted freshman Cumberland College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Cumberland College (83%)

Cumberland College vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cumberland College or NKU? 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 NKU and Cumberland College.

  • The graduation rate at Cumberland College is higher than Northern Kentucky University (43% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Cumberland College graduates after ten years. ($39,700 vs. $36,700)
  • University of the Cumberlands students graduate with a $10,994 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($13,956 vs. $24,950)
  • Cumberland College graduates are paying $113 less per month on federal student loans 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/