University of West Alabama vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of West Alabama is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of West Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of West Alabama 19:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

University of West Alabama vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama than CU ($13,954 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 35.7% lower than at Cumberland University ($8,230 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 153.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of West Alabama (about $16,850 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $10,990.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.6% higher at CU than at University of West Alabama (about $7,750 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $20,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at University of West Alabama (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 173.4% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($24,703 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• CU has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 40.5% at CU.

University of West Alabama vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $4,760 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($21,729 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($224 vs. $273).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 36%)

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.