University of The Cumberlands combines accessible admissions with exceptional value performance. The university delivers $15,579 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels $9,270 below peer institutions, creating favorable conditions for long-term financial stability across diverse student populations.
Above average, driven by earnings beyond expectations despite modest absolute earnings levels
With top-tier performance, reflecting controlled costs and exceptional debt management relative to outcomes
Well above average, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Around the national average, reflecting the balance between access and outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop-tier earnings beyond expectations
University of The Cumberlands ranks #289 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with overall performance at the 82.3rd percentile. Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains moderately selective admissions with a 71.4% acceptance rate while delivering top-tier earnings performance relative to student backgrounds.
The university enrolls 48.5% Pell-eligible students and 39.8% first-generation students, placing it well above typical private institutions on access measures. Graduates earn $15,579 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 91.5th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $45,036 ten years after enrollment, modestly below the peer median of $63,066. However, this earnings performance occurs alongside exceptionally low debt levels of $14,911, compared to a peer median of $24,181.
This combination of accessible admissions, strong value performance, and controlled borrowing positions University of The Cumberlands as an Under-Resourced Institution that maximizes outcomes despite resource constraints.
University of The Cumberlands delivers exceptional value through controlled costs and earnings beyond expectations. Graduates earn a median of $45,036 ten years after enrollment, while achieving $15,579 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 91.5th percentile nationally on this measure.
Though median earnings fall modestly below the peer average, the institution's debt performance ranks at the 86th percentile with median student debt of just $14,911, substantially below the peer median of $24,181. This results in a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, indicating strong financial sustainability for graduates.
Students seeking strong value and earnings beyond expectations at a mid-sized private nonprofit with accessible admissions. Well-suited for first-generation students (39.8%) and Pell-eligible students (48.5%) looking for controlled debt levels and particularly strong outcomes in health professions and business programs.
University of The Cumberlands admits 71.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Moderately Selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% indicates University of The Cumberlands operates at similar selectivity levels compared to other medium-sized private nonprofit institutions. This moderate selectivity creates accessible pathways to higher education while maintaining academic standards.
The 71.4% acceptance rate suggests that most academically prepared students have strong prospects for admission, though the university maintains selective standards that require demonstrated academic readiness. Students should treat University of The Cumberlands as a target school rather than a safety, particularly given the institution's strong outcomes performance.
The moderately selective admission rate allows the university to enroll diverse student populations while ensuring adequate academic preparation for degree completion. For prospective students, this selectivity level indicates that solid high school academic performance, demonstrated through coursework and standardized testing, will be important for admission consideration.
The admission rate provides reasonable confidence for well-prepared applicants while ensuring the university maintains academic rigor necessary to support strong post-graduation outcomes. Students building college lists should consider University of The Cumberlands as offering good admission prospects alongside demonstrated academic quality and strong value performance.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of The Cumberlands publishes a cost of attendance of $24,654 per year, including $9,875 in tuition, $9,300 for room and board, and no additional charges for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $11,286 after financial aid, representing savings of $13,368 from the sticker price.
This net price falls $15,857 below the peer median of $27,143, indicating exceptional affordability relative to similar private nonprofit institutions. The substantial gap between published price and actual cost demonstrates the university's commitment to making education accessible through generous financial aid policies.
Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $4,895 for the lowest-income families to $18,953 for the highest-income bracket. This progressive pricing structure ensures that students from diverse economic backgrounds can access University of The Cumberlands education.
The university's cost structure reflects its mission to serve first-generation and Pell-eligible students, with financial aid policies designed to eliminate cost barriers for lower-income families while maintaining accessibility for middle-income students. Families should expect substantial financial aid that brings actual costs well below published prices, particularly for those demonstrating financial need.
The controlled cost structure supports the university's strong value proposition, allowing graduates to achieve positive returns on investment despite modest absolute earnings levels.
University of The Cumberlands graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth and exceptional value performance. Median earnings rise from $39,046 six years after enrollment to $41,133 at eight years and $45,036 at ten years, representing 15.3% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 933 graduates at six years, 743 at eight years, and 735 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. The institution generates $15,579 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing it at the 91.5th percentile for earnings uplift and earning top-tier performance designation.
This represents one of the strongest value performances among comparable institutions. Low-income graduates earn $35,500, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Earnings distribution spans from $28,579 at the 25th percentile to $63,134 at the 75th percentile, a 2.2:1 ratio reflecting varied career trajectories across academic programs. Approximately 24.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study based on program mix analysis, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
85 graduates
Biology, General.
37 graduates
Business/Commerce, General.
85 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
25 graduates
Corrections Administration.
35 graduates
University of The Cumberlands offers 11 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #104 nationally, producing 85 graduates with median earnings of $81,012 and a value score of 62.4, representing the university's flagship program.
Business/Commerce, General ranks #23 nationally and #1 in Kentucky, graduating 85 students with median earnings of $51,203 and an exceptional value score of 66.2. Biology, General ranks #55 nationally and #1 in Kentucky, with 37 graduates earning $63,243 and achieving a strong value score of 85.3.
Human Services, General ranks #12 nationally and #1 in Kentucky, graduating 65 students with median earnings of $35,720. Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates 44 students annually with median earnings of $33,516, while Psychology, General enrolls 55 graduates earning $35,801.
These programs demonstrate the university's strength in health professions, business education, and human services, with multiple programs achieving top rankings within Kentucky and strong national standings.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Depaul University Similar quality tier (#291 ranked) | IL | 74% | $68,751 | #291 | Compare |
Santa Clara University Similar quality tier (#297 ranked) | CA | 44% | $109,183 | #297 | Compare |
University Of San Francisco Similar quality tier (#299 ranked) | CA | 51% | $89,812 | #299 | Compare |
Northeastern University Similar quality tier (#305 ranked) | MA | 6% | $92,538 | #305 | Compare |
Case Western Reserve University Similar quality tier (#276 ranked) | OH | 29% | $87,989 | #276 | Compare |
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