Warren Wilson vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cumberland University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Warren Wilson vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson ($18,499 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 1.9% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($12,800 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 49.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU (about $13,660 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.1% higher at Warren Wilson than at Cumberland University (about $13,660 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College as at Cumberland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 25% larger than aid received by Cumberland University students ($30,887 vs. $24,703).

Warren Wilson vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at CU (3.3).
• Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 40.5% at CU.

Warren Wilson vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson 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).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $1,271 lower median loan debt than Warren Wilson graduates ($21,729 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Warren Wilson graduates ($224 vs. $237).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 60%)

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.