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Cumberland University vs Bryan College-Dayton: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lebanon TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Dayton TN

The verdict

Cumberland University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $75,036 in 8 years versus 13.6 years at Bryan College-Dayton, on median earnings of $57,687 vs $54,434 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCumberland UniversityBryan College-Dayton
Net price / yr$18,759$20,614
Total net cost$75,036$82,456
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,687$54,434
Median debt$17,952$23,000
Payback8 yrs13.6 yrs
20-year net return$111,504$39,024

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Cumberland University or Bryan College-Dayton?

Cumberland University, at $18,759 a year after aid versus $20,614 — a gap of $1,855 a year, or $7,420 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Cumberland University or Bryan College-Dayton graduates earn more?

Cumberland University graduates report a median $57,687 ten years after entry, $3,253 more than the $54,434 at Bryan College-Dayton. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Cumberland University or Bryan College-Dayton?

Cumberland University: its completers carry a median $17,952 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Bryan College-Dayton, a difference of $5,048. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

50% of students finish at Bryan College-Dayton, against 46% at Cumberland University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Cumberland University vs Bryan College-Dayton: frequently asked questions

Is Cumberland University or Bryan College-Dayton a better value?
Cumberland University. It clears its $75,036 net cost in about 8 years versus 13.6 years at Bryan College-Dayton, on median earnings of $57,687 vs $54,434 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Cumberland University or Bryan College-Dayton?
Cumberland University: $18,759/yr net price after aid versus $20,614/yr at Bryan College-Dayton — a difference of $1,855 a year, or about $7,420 over four years.
Do Cumberland University or Bryan College-Dayton graduates earn more?
Cumberland University graduates earn a median $57,687 ten years after entry, versus $54,434 at Bryan College-Dayton — a $3,253 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.