EIU vs. CU

Eastern Illinois University and Cumberland University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Eastern Illinois University
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: EIU (65.3% admitted vs 67.3%). Typical SAT 990 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: EIU. Average net price is $13,787 vs $18,499 at CU.
  • Graduation: EIU 59% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: EIU $43,500 vs CU $39,900 (median).
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Key differences

Eastern Illinois University Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
EIU more selective
EIU65.3%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
EIU higher
EIU880-1090
CU-
Average net price
EIU $4,712 less
EIU$13,787
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
EIU $14,161 less
EIU$13,679
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
EIU $11,623 less
EIU$16,217
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
EIU +25 pts
EIU59%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
EIU +$3,600
EIU$43,500
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • EIU 12,539
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • EIU 8,194
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • EIU 65.3%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • EIU 9.8%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • EIU 990
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • EIU
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • EIU 3.39
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • EIU B+
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • EIU Extremely Easy
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • EIU Low
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • EIU 880-1090
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • EIU
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • EIU Test optional
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • EIU
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • EIU $13,679
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • EIU $16,217
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • EIU $12,282
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • EIU $13,787
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • EIU $12,960
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • EIU 95%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • EIU 59%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • EIU $43,500
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • EIU 59%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • EIU $23,650
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • EIU $244
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • EIU 14:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • EIU
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • EIU Charleston, IL
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • EIU Remote Town
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • EIU 8,505
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • EIU Public 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • EIU #688
  • CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 4% lower than at Cumberland University ($12,282 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 71.7% higher at CU than at Eastern Illinois University (about $11,623 more per year; $27,840 vs. $16,217).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 90.6% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($24,703 vs. $12,960).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at EIU, test-free at CU.
  • Enrolled first-year students at EIU average a 3.39 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $1,921 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($21,729 vs. $23,650).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($224 vs. $244).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 59%).

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

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