KWC vs. CU

Kentucky Wesleyan College and Cumberland University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Kentucky Wesleyan College
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 71.6%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: CU. Average net price is $18,499 vs $20,999 at KWC.
  • Graduation: KWC 44% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: KWC $38,500 vs CU $39,900 (median).
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Key differences

Kentucky Wesleyan College Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
KWC71.6%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
KWC higher
KWC890-1130
CU-
Average net price
CU $2,500 less
KWC$20,999
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
CU $6,833 less
KWC$34,673
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
CU $6,833 less
KWC$34,673
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
KWC +10 pts
KWC44%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU +$1,400
KWC$38,500
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • KWC 2,113
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • KWC 1,513
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • KWC 71.6%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • KWC 17.7%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KWC 1010
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • KWC 19
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • KWC 3.3
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • KWC B+
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • KWC Extremely Easy
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • KWC Low
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • KWC 890-1130
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • KWC 16-23
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • KWC Test optional
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • KWC
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • KWC $34,673
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • KWC $11,855
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • KWC $20,999
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • KWC $25,538
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • KWC 100%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • KWC 44%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • KWC $38,500
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • KWC 54%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • KWC $22,907
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • KWC $236
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • KWC 15:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • KWC
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • KWC Owensboro, KY
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • KWC Small City
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • KWC 887
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • KWC Private 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • KWC
  • CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Cumberland University is larger than KWC based on total student enrollment (3,457 students vs. 887 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 7.4% lower than at Cumberland University ($11,855 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 24.5% higher at KWC than at Cumberland University (about $6,833 more per year; $34,673 vs. $27,840).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College as at Cumberland University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Cumberland University students ($25,538 vs. $24,703).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at KWC, test-free at CU.
  • Enrolled freshman KWC students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $1,178 lower median loan debt than KWC graduates ($21,729 vs. $22,907).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KWC graduates ($224 vs. $236).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KWC students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 54%).

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

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