Cumberland University
#5 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee- Graduation Rate
- 46% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,687 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,759 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 67% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.2 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Business Colleges in Tennessee.
Every $1 spent returns $17.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,215,767.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 41% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.00% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Cumberland University Matters
Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, TN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,104
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Humanities, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Cumberland University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 67% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,759 a year after grants and scholarships — 9% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,687 ten years after enrolling — 41% above the typical college, against $17,952 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 28% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.52 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Cumberland University is a good fit for students who are looking for a close-knit environment where personal connections matter. With an enrollment of about 2,100 students and a 67% acceptance rate, it's accessible for many. Here, students dive into programs like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Psychology, allowing them to explore diverse paths while developing valuable skills.
After graduation, the potential for earnings is quite promising, with a median salary of $57,687 after ten years. This figure highlights the opportunities available to graduates in various fields. While the graduation rate sits at 46%, many students who complete their studies find their degrees translating into meaningful careers. Affordability plays a role here too, as around 30% of students receive Pell Grants, making it easier for those from lower-income backgrounds to attend.
When it comes to the financials, the net price after aid is $18,759, and the median debt stands at $17,952. This suggests that while the cost of attendance can be significant, it's manageable for many, especially when looking at the potential return on investment. Students who thrive here are often those who value community and support, and who seek a practical education that leads to real-world outcomes.
Rankings
- #5 Best Business Colleges in Tennessee
- #7 Best Psychology Colleges in Tennessee
- #8 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Tennessee
- #10 Best Education Colleges in Tennessee
- #15 Best Biology Colleges in Tennessee
- #18 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee
- #21 Best Colleges in Tennessee
- #21 Best Bachelor's Programs in Tennessee
Can I Get In?
How selective Cumberland University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Cumberland University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Cumberland University, located in Lebanon, Tennessee, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 33%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,114
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.64
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 2,137
- Admitted
- 1,415
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cumberland University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cumberland University is $27,840, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,759. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,882 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,952 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $27,840
- Out-of-State
- $27,840
- Avg Net Price
- $18,759
- Median Debt
- $17,952
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 19%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,882
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,048
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,609
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,917
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Cumberland University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cumberland University earn a median of $57,687, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,246
- 8 Years
- $59,093
- 10 Years
- $57,687
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.31x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (71)
- 40%
- 100% (71)
- 40%
- 100% (71)
- 40%
- 100% (71)
- 40%
How Cumberland Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Cumberland University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Cumberland University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,759/year ($75,036 total). Graduates earn $57,687 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,290,803 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,215,767 (17.2× your investment). The median debt is $17,952, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 46% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $75,036
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,290,803
- Net Return
- $1,215,767
- ROI Multiple
- 17.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,759
- Median Debt
- $17,952
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Cumberland University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cumberland University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.00%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.00%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 13.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $68,800
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,786,517
- Investment Income
- $-221,481
Top Programs
The fields Cumberland University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 29%
- Humanities 24%
- Health Professions 9%
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Education 7%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Psychology 4%
- English & Literature 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Cumberland University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Cumberland University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Cumberland University, located in Lebanon, Tennessee, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 67% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cumberland University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cumberland University is $27,840, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,759. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,882 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,952 in federal student loans.
Is Cumberland University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cumberland University earn a median of $57,687, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Cumberland University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cumberland University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.00%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Cumberland University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cumberland University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Cumberland University.
- North Park UniversityChicago, IL · Close peer57% grad $59,572 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of CharlestonCharleston, WV · Close peer46% grad $55,774 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Madonna UniversityLivonia, MI · Close peer59% grad $59,058 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestrySyracuse, NY · Close peer68% grad $55,763 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Minot State UniversityMinot, ND · Close peer46% grad $51,759 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Vanguard University of Southern CaliforniaCosta Mesa, CA · Close peer56% grad $59,541 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Cumberland University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cumberland University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.06), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note