CU vs. ETSU

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

Cumberland University
East Tennessee State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 86.2%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1090.
  • Cheaper after aid: ETSU. Average net price is $16,286 vs $18,499 at CU.
  • Graduation: CU 34% vs ETSU 44%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CU $39,900 vs ETSU $40,000 (median).
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Key differences

Cumberland University East Tennessee State University
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
CU67.3%
ETSU86.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ETSU higher
CU-
ETSU980-1200
Average net price
ETSU $2,213 less
CU$18,499
ETSU$16,286
In-state tuition
ETSU $17,368 less
CU$27,840
ETSU$10,472
Out-of-state tuition
ETSU $13,318 less
CU$27,840
ETSU$14,522
Graduation rate
ETSU +10 pts
CU34%
ETSU44%
Median earnings (10 years)
ETSU +$100
CU$39,900
ETSU$40,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CU 2,495
  • ETSU 10,050
  • Admitted
  • CU 1,680
  • ETSU 8,662
  • Acceptance rate
  • CU 67.3%
  • ETSU 86.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CU 40.5%
  • ETSU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU
  • ETSU 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU
  • ETSU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • CU 3.3
  • ETSU 3.33
  • Typical high school grades
  • CU B+
  • ETSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CU Unavailable
  • ETSU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • CU Low
  • ETSU
  • SAT range
  • CU
  • ETSU 980-1200
  • ACT range
  • CU
  • ETSU 19-26
  • Submit test scores
  • CU Test-free
  • ETSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CU
  • ETSU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CU $27,840
  • ETSU $10,472
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CU $27,840
  • ETSU $14,522
  • Room & board
  • CU $12,800
  • ETSU $10,554
  • Average net price
  • CU $18,499
  • ETSU $16,286
  • Average grant aid
  • CU $24,703
  • ETSU $10,101
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CU 100%
  • ETSU 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • CU 34%
  • ETSU 44%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CU $39,900
  • ETSU $40,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • CU 60%
  • ETSU 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CU $21,729
  • ETSU $20,500
  • Median loan payment
  • CU $224
  • ETSU $211
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CU 19:1
  • ETSU 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • ETSU
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Location
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • ETSU Johnson City, TN
  • Setting
  • CU Distant Town
  • ETSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU 3,457
  • ETSU 13,728
  • Type
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • ETSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CU
  • ETSU #650

Comparable Facts

Compare Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN with East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

East Tennessee State University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (13,728 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 17.5% lower than at Cumberland University ($10,554 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 91.7% higher at CU than at East Tennessee State University (about $13,318 more per year; $27,840 vs. $14,522).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at East Tennessee State University (100% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 144.6% larger than aid received by East Tennessee State University students ($24,703 vs. $10,101).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CU, test optional at ETSU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ETSU average a 3.33 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 24.7% at ETSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, East Tennessee State University graduates have a $1,229 lower median loan debt than CU graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,729).
  • Among borrowers, ETSU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU graduates ($211 vs. $224).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 50%).

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

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