WKU vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

WKU vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU 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 Western Kentucky University than CU ($12,548 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.7% lower than at Cumberland University ($12,582 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 138.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $16,188 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at CU than at Western Kentucky University (about $840 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 126.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($24,703 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU 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 WKU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at CU (3.3).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 40.5% at CU.

WKU vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU 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).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $2,521 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,729 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($224 vs. $250).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 47%)

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.