It is one of the oldest liberal arts universities in the South, located in Lebanon, Tennessee. It’s a private university that was established in 1842, and it is currently headed by Paul C. Stumb. It was founded by the leaders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Philadelphia architect William Strickland designed the original building which houses centers of theology, art, and law. Let us know the Ideals Of Cumberland University.

The specialty of Cumberland University.
- They believe in blending traditional art values with modern practical approaches.
- They offer a wide range of degrees, infused with liberal arts teachings.
- Students from diverse financial backgrounds can apply as the university offers several ways of financial assistance. Their average tuition fees are less than 31% of the national average.
- The university has a limited number of students in a class which helps the faculty focus more on every individual, leading to personal growth.
- They have a vibrant student body and this kind of diversity leads to an amalgamation of different cultures and a conducive environment of learning and acceptance.
- It provides a plethora of co-curricular activities that one can take part in for more holistic development. For example, sports competitions, greek societies, student organizations, etc.
Some important topics are covered below:
Admissions
The application fee is $25. Their admission procedure is selective with an acceptance rate of 54%. On average, the applicants that were admitted into the University had an SAT scores between 880 and 1130 and an ACT score of 18 and 23. For the Fall of 2020, it had an undergraduate enrollment of 2,397 students of which 41% constituted male students and the rest 59% were female students.
Courses
The college offers Bachelors’s and Masters’s degrees along with online degree programs. They also have Certificate and Associate programs. Their spectrum of course offerings is wide and includes the field of business administration and economics, science, physical education, nursing, music, etc. It has a semester-based academic calendar.
It has three distinct schools:
- The Milliard and J. J. Oakley School of Humanities, Education and Arts.
- Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business
- Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Financial Aid.
Financial aid is provided on a needs basis. In a general sense, these are the funds that help students pay for college. According to the latest data, 92.8% of students applied for need-based aid, out of which 84% of students received it. Another 27.2% of students got need-based self-help aid. The average grant aid was $7,460.
Tuition Fees.
The tuition fee of the University is cheaper when compared to the national average. Its tuition fees are around $25,412 whereas the national average is $41,281. The total cost which includes the fees of all the amenities like the cost of accommodation, books, and supplies, and transportation comes to $41,196. After the deduction of grants, aid, and scholarship from this total cost, one gets the net price which comes in at $33,736. The net price is the average cost of the university. According to the college board, their tuition fees were 34% less than the national average for private colleges.
Athletics
The university’s athletic teams were called Bulldogs until 2016 and were later renamed to the Phoenix. It is also a member of the prestigious NAIA, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Their application to join the Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was denied in 2014. They take part in a variety of varsity sports like baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, and soccer. It also has a competitive athletic environment for both men and women with teams fighting for national titles and championships.
Student Life
Students can live an on-campus college life by staying in the five residence halls that offer several accommodation options. It strives to give its student a happening and challenging student life. Students can become a part of any of the 55 student organizations, honor societies, or sports teams. It aims to provide an all-around development of students from all backgrounds with an intellectually challenging higher education. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1 and the faculty is better positioned to focus on every student.
Alumni
The University has contributed some notable alumni like two Supreme Court Justices; Howell Edmunds Jackson and Horace Harmon Lurton, Members of Congress, and people in the field of journalism, social activism, business, and education. It also has in its list a U.S. Secretary of State, Cordell Hull who worked under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
CONCLUSION.
Cumberland University is a prestigious private, co-educational, liberal arts-focused university. This values every individual on the campus and has a student-focused approach with several forms of aid and scholarship grants. It has three academic schools and wide range of graduate programs. It has a beautiful campus and experienced faculty that are teaching the next generation of leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions.
1)Does the University have a vibrant greek life?
Yes, it has 3 sororities and 5 fraternities.
2)Does the University provide scholarships?
Yes. One can qualify for scholarships based on their financial background, academic or athletic achievement, community service involvement, hobbies, military affiliation, etc.
3)What is the University’s ranking?
In the 2022 edition of Best Colleges, it received a rank of 93 under the category of Regional Universities of South.
4)Is Cumberland University a Christian school?
No, the university is non-denominational in nature and does not associate itself with a particular religion.