Alabama State vs. CU

Alabama State University and Cumberland University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Alabama State University
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 97.6%). Typical SAT N/A vs 860.
  • Cheaper after aid: Alabama State. Average net price is $13,138 vs $18,499 at CU.
  • Graduation: Alabama State 26% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Alabama State $29,500 vs CU $39,900 (median).
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Key differences

Alabama State University Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
Alabama State97.6%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Alabama State higher
Alabama State749-967
CU-
Average net price
Alabama State $5,361 less
Alabama State$13,138
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
Alabama State $16,592 less
Alabama State$11,248
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
Alabama State $8,264 less
Alabama State$19,576
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
CU +8 pts
Alabama State26%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU +$10,400
Alabama State$29,500
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Alabama State 7,229
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • Alabama State 7,052
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • Alabama State 97.6%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Alabama State 15%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Alabama State 860
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • Alabama State 17
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • Alabama State 2.95
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Alabama State B
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Alabama State Extremely Easy
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Alabama State
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • Alabama State 749-967
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • Alabama State 15-20
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • Alabama State Test optional
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Alabama State Jul 31, 2027
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Alabama State $11,248
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Alabama State $19,576
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • Alabama State $7,816
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • Alabama State $13,138
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • Alabama State $11,583
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Alabama State 87%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Alabama State 26%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Alabama State $29,500
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Alabama State 20%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Alabama State $32,091
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • Alabama State $331
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Alabama State 15:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Alabama State
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • Alabama State Montgomery, AL
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • Alabama State Midsize City
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Alabama State 4,081
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • Alabama State Public 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Alabama State #1014
  • CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Alabama State University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (4,081 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 38.9% lower than at Cumberland University ($7,816 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 42.2% higher at CU than at Alabama State University (about $8,264 more per year; $27,840 vs. $19,576).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Alabama State University (100% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 113.3% larger than aid received by Alabama State University students ($24,703 vs. $11,583).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Alabama State, test-free at CU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CU average a 3.3 high school GPA, 0.35 higher than at Alabama State (2.95).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $10,362 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($21,729 vs. $32,091).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($224 vs. $331).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 20%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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