CU vs. UTC

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

Cumberland University
The University of Tennessee Chattanooga

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 81.1%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1110.
  • Cheaper after aid: UTC. Average net price is $15,347 vs $18,499 at CU.
  • Graduation: CU 34% vs UTC 39%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CU $39,900 vs UTC $40,600 (median).
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Key differences

Cumberland University The University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
CU67.3%
UTC81.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UTC higher
CU-
UTC1013-1210
Average net price
UTC $3,152 less
CU$18,499
UTC$15,347
In-state tuition
UTC $17,392 less
CU$27,840
UTC$10,448
Out-of-state tuition
UTC $9,328 less
CU$27,840
UTC$18,512
Graduation rate
UTC +5 pts
CU34%
UTC39%
Median earnings (10 years)
UTC +$700
CU$39,900
UTC$40,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CU 2,495
  • UTC 10,494
  • Admitted
  • CU 1,680
  • UTC 8,510
  • Acceptance rate
  • CU 67.3%
  • UTC 81.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CU 40.5%
  • UTC 29.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU
  • UTC 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU
  • UTC 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • CU 3.3
  • UTC 3.61
  • Typical high school grades
  • CU B+
  • UTC A-
  • Admissions standards
  • CU Unavailable
  • UTC Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • CU Low
  • UTC
  • SAT range
  • CU
  • UTC 1013-1210
  • ACT range
  • CU
  • UTC 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • CU Test-free
  • UTC Required
  • Application deadline
  • CU
  • UTC May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CU $27,840
  • UTC $10,448
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CU $27,840
  • UTC $18,512
  • Room & board
  • CU $12,800
  • UTC $12,604
  • Average net price
  • CU $18,499
  • UTC $15,347
  • Average grant aid
  • CU $24,703
  • UTC $10,038
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CU 100%
  • UTC 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • CU 34%
  • UTC 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CU $39,900
  • UTC $40,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • CU 60%
  • UTC 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CU $21,729
  • UTC $20,792
  • Median loan payment
  • CU $224
  • UTC $214
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CU 19:1
  • UTC 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • UTC
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Location
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • UTC Chattanooga, TN
  • Setting
  • CU Distant Town
  • UTC Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU 3,457
  • UTC 11,775
  • Type
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • UTC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CU
  • UTC #791

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (11,775 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
  • Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cumberland University 19:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga are 1.5% lower than at Cumberland University ($12,604 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 50.4% higher at CU than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (about $9,328 more per year; $27,840 vs. $18,512).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 146.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($24,703 vs. $10,038).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CU, required at UTC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UTC average a 3.61 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $937 lower median loan debt than CU graduates ($20,792 vs. $21,729).
  • Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU graduates ($214 vs. $224).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTC students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 56%).

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

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