The Catholic University of America vs. CU

The Catholic University of America and Cumberland University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

The Catholic University of America
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 82.8%). Typical SAT N/A vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: CU. Average net price is $18,499 vs $32,705 at The Catholic University of America.
  • Graduation: The Catholic University of America 68% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: The Catholic University of America $58,600 vs CU $39,900 (median).
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Key differences

The Catholic University of America Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
The Catholic University of America82.8%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
The Catholic University of America-
CU-
Average net price
CU $14,206 less
The Catholic University of America$32,705
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
CU $30,538 less
The Catholic University of America$58,378
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
CU $30,538 less
The Catholic University of America$58,378
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
The Catholic University of America +34 pts
The Catholic University of America68%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
The Catholic University of America +$18,700
The Catholic University of America$58,600
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • The Catholic University of America 6,714
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • The Catholic University of America 5,558
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • The Catholic University of America 82.8%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • The Catholic University of America 13.4%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • The Catholic University of America 3.52
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • The Catholic University of America A-
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • The Catholic University of America Unavailable
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • The Catholic University of America Test-free
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,378
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • The Catholic University of America $18,200
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • The Catholic University of America $32,705
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • The Catholic University of America $42,657
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • The Catholic University of America 99%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • The Catholic University of America 68%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • The Catholic University of America $58,600
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • The Catholic University of America 77%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • The Catholic University of America $26,106
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • The Catholic University of America $269
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • The Catholic University of America 11:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • The Catholic University of America
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Architecture (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • The Catholic University of America Washington, DC
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • The Catholic University of America Large City
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • The Catholic University of America 5,243
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • The Catholic University of America Private 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • The Catholic University of America
  • CU

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cumberland University are 29.7% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($12,800 vs. $18,200).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 109.7% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Cumberland University (about $30,538 more per year; $58,378 vs. $27,840).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at The Catholic University of America (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 72.7% larger than aid received by Cumberland University students ($42,657 vs. $24,703).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both The Catholic University of America and CU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at The Catholic University of America average a 3.52 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $4,377 lower median loan debt than The Catholic University of America graduates ($21,729 vs. $26,106).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The Catholic University of America graduates ($224 vs. $269).
  • More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU students, three years after graduation (77% vs. 60%).

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

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