Bethel University vs Cumberland University
Bethel University and Cumberland University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Bethel, a private Christian university in McKenzie, Tennessee, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on faith-based education. Cumberland, a public university in Lebanon, Tennessee, prides itself on its diverse student body and strong academic programs. While both universities offer a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Bethel University |
![]() Cumberland University |
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Overview |
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Location | McKenzie, Tennessee | Lebanon, Tennessee |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 55.0% | 61.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 50.0% | 57.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 875 - 1108 | N/A |
ACT range | 15 - 21 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 72.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,148 | 2,692 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,073 | 1,555 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 522 | 591 |
Yield rate | 48.6% | 38.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $32,670 | $43,022 |
Average net price | $16,139 | $28,459 |
Tuition | $16,222 | $24,336 |
Room & board | $9,368 | $9,000 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $14,696 |
100.0%
Average amount $11,563 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
75.0%
Average amount $5,469 |
19.0%
Average amount $5,119 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $8,030 |
2.0%
Average amount $11,182 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,446
Men 47.4% Women 52.6% |
2,257
Men 40.7% Women 59.3% |
Graduate students |
565
Men 34.7% Women 65.3% |
283
Men 42.8% Women 57.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 6.3% |
International students | 2.3% | 3.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 972 | 551 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Tennessee Georgia Alabama Florida Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 37.7% | 51.5% |
Dropout rate | 34.9% | 20.5% |
Transferred out | 27.4% | 27.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Homeland Security (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
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