Head-to-head · 2026
University of the Cumberlands vs Western Kentucky University
Compare average net price ($14,107 at University of the Cumberlands; $10,990 at Western Kentucky University), ROI score (7.98 vs 9.98), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,036 vs $43,889), and admissions selectivity (98.8% acceptance at University of the Cumberlands; 93.9% at Western Kentucky University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of the Cumberlands | Western Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.98 | 9.98 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,107 | $10,990 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,428 | $43,960 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,875 | $11,652 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,875 | $27,000 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,036 ✓ | $43,889 |
| Acceptance rate | 98.8% | 93.9% |
| Graduation rate | 50.4% | 55.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 74.3% | 78.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,911 ✓ | $22,095 |
| Enrollment | 6,941 | 12,155 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 971 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of the Cumberlands | Western Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,736 | $7,087 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,147 | $6,871 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,572 | $9,765 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,441 | $14,049 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $18,846 | $17,653 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of the Cumberlands | Western Kentucky University |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 19.3% | 1.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 9.9% | 9.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8.1% | 4.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.8% | 7.4% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 8.2% | 0.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.3% | 4% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 5.6% | 1% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 5.4% | 0% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Kentucky University reports the lower average net price by $3,117 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $12,468 difference over four years ($43,960 vs $56,428).
University of the Cumberlands reports $1,147 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($45,036 vs $43,889). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 74.3% at University of the Cumberlands and 78.3% at Western Kentucky University. Median federal debt among completers is $14,911 vs $22,095, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
University of the Cumberlands vs Western Kentucky University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Kentucky University is cheaper — average net price $10,990 per year vs $14,107 at University of the Cumberlands. The annual difference of $3,117 adds up to about $12,468 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of the Cumberlands reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $45,036 vs $43,889 at Western Kentucky University. The gap in the federal data is $1,147. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Western Kentucky University is more selective at 93.9% acceptance vs 98.8% at University of the Cumberlands.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.