WKU vs. CU

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

Western Kentucky University
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CU (67.3% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT N/A vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $18,499 at CU.
  • Graduation: WKU 50% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WKU $37,100 vs CU $39,900 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Western Kentucky University Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
CU more selective
WKU93.9%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WKU higher
WKU840-1050
CU-
Average net price
WKU $5,951 less
WKU$12,548
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
WKU $16,188 less
WKU$11,652
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $840 less
WKU$27,000
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
WKU +16 pts
WKU50%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU +$2,800
WKU$37,100
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at WKU and CU with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at WKU Check my chances at CU
  • Applied
  • WKU 9,840
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • WKU 9,237
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • WKU 93.9%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WKU 30.2%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WKU 950
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • WKU 18
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • WKU 3.42
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • WKU B+
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • WKU
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • WKU 840-1050
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • WKU 16-21
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • WKU Test optional
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WKU $11,652
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WKU $27,000
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • WKU $12,582
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • WKU $12,548
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • WKU $10,921
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WKU 99%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • WKU 50%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WKU $37,100
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • WKU 47%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WKU $24,250
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • WKU $250
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WKU 19:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • WKU Small City
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • WKU 16,291
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WKU #970
  • CU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Kentucky University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.7% lower than at Cumberland University ($12,582 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at CU than at Western Kentucky University (about $840 more per year; $27,840 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 126.2% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($24,703 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, test-free at CU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at CU (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $2,521 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($21,729 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($224 vs. $250).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 47%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Western Kentucky University
Cumberland University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges