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Cumberland University
Cumberland University says yes to 67.3% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $57,687 median earnings.
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Cumberland University anchors the college town of Lebanon, TN, where the private campus and town largely share a footprint. International students are a visible presence here — 6.8% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $78,954 four years out. 30.3% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 2,104 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 59.5% of first-years come back for a second year.
Cumberland University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Cumberland University received 2,788 applications and admitted 1,868 (67%), with 673 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. Cumberland University's 67.3% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How Cumberland University compares
| Cumberland University | Tennessee median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 67.3% | 69.4% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $27,840 | $21,400 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $57,687 | $48,382 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Cumberland University: $57,687 median at year ten, versus $48,382 across Tennessee institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $27,840 regardless of where you're from. At Cumberland University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
At 2,104 undergrads, Cumberland University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
45.6% graduate within six years. Roughly 54% don't — ask a Cumberland University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Cumberland University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $78,954 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,477 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $51,366 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,032 |
| Psychology, General | $42,713 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,369 |
Median earnings for these 6 Cumberland University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $57,687 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 28 additional Cumberland University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Cumberland University?
Cumberland University doesn't look at test scores; its 67.3% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is Cumberland University's acceptance rate?
67% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,868 admitted from 2,788 applicants.
How much does Cumberland University cost?
At Cumberland University, published tuition is $27,840 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Cumberland University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Cumberland University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $57,687 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Tennessee
- Lipscomb University — 67.7% admitted
- Bethel University — 60.2% admitted
- Baptist Health Sciences University — 82% admitted
- Johnson University — 65.1% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.