CU vs. Memphis

Cumberland University and University of Memphis side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Cumberland University
University of Memphis

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 72%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1050.
  • Cheaper after aid: Memphis. Average net price is $12,756 vs $18,499 at CU.
  • Graduation: CU 34% vs Memphis 38%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CU $39,900 vs Memphis $42,200 (median).
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Key differences

Cumberland University University of Memphis
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
CU67.3%
Memphis72%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Memphis higher
CU-
Memphis915-1180
Average net price
Memphis $5,743 less
CU$18,499
Memphis$12,756
In-state tuition
Memphis $17,112 less
CU$27,840
Memphis$10,728
Out-of-state tuition
Memphis $12,456 less
CU$27,840
Memphis$15,384
Graduation rate
Memphis +4 pts
CU34%
Memphis38%
Median earnings (10 years)
Memphis +$2,300
CU$39,900
Memphis$42,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • CU 2,495
  • Memphis 15,084
  • Admitted
  • CU 1,680
  • Memphis 10,865
  • Acceptance rate
  • CU 67.3%
  • Memphis 72%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CU 40.5%
  • Memphis 18.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CU
  • Memphis 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • CU
  • Memphis 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • CU 3.3
  • Memphis 3.48
  • Typical high school grades
  • CU B+
  • Memphis B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CU Unavailable
  • Memphis Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CU Low
  • Memphis Low
  • SAT range
  • CU
  • Memphis 915-1180
  • ACT range
  • CU
  • Memphis 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • CU Test-free
  • Memphis Required
  • Application deadline
  • CU
  • Memphis Jul 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CU $27,840
  • Memphis $10,728
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CU $27,840
  • Memphis $15,384
  • Room & board
  • CU $12,800
  • Memphis $11,342
  • Average net price
  • CU $18,499
  • Memphis $12,756
  • Average grant aid
  • CU $24,703
  • Memphis $11,793
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CU 100%
  • Memphis 92%
  • Graduation rate
  • CU 34%
  • Memphis 38%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CU $39,900
  • Memphis $42,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • CU 60%
  • Memphis 37%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CU $21,729
  • Memphis $25,250
  • Median loan payment
  • CU $224
  • Memphis $261
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CU 19:1
  • Memphis 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Memphis
    • Business (21%)
    • General Studies (11%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Location
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Memphis Memphis, TN
  • Setting
  • CU Distant Town
  • Memphis Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CU 3,457
  • Memphis 20,276
  • Type
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • Memphis Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CU
  • Memphis #882

Comparable Facts

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

University of Memphis is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (20,276 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cumberland University is located in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting); University of Memphis is in Memphis, TN (Large City setting).
  • Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Memphis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cumberland University 19:1; University of Memphis 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 11.4% lower than at Cumberland University ($11,342 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 81% higher at CU than at University of Memphis (about $12,456 more per year; $27,840 vs. $15,384).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at University of Memphis (100% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 109.5% larger than aid received by University of Memphis students ($24,703 vs. $11,793).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CU, required at Memphis.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Memphis average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at CU vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $3,521 lower median loan debt than Memphis graduates ($21,729 vs. $25,250).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Memphis graduates ($224 vs. $261).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 37%).

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

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