Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Cumberland University vs Christian Brothers University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lebanon TN · vs · Private nonprofit, Memphis TN

The verdict

Christian Brothers University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $39,416 in 4.3 years versus 8 years at Cumberland University, on median earnings of $57,478 vs $57,687 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureCumberland UniversityChristian Brothers University
Net price / yr$18,759$9,854
Total net cost$75,036$39,416
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,687$57,478
Median debt$17,952$27,000
Payback8 yrs4.3 yrs
20-year net return$111,504$142,944

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

Which is cheaper, Cumberland University or Christian Brothers University?

Christian Brothers University, at $9,854 a year after aid versus $18,759 — a gap of $8,905 a year, or $35,620 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 Christian Brothers University graduates earn more?

Cumberland University graduates report a median $57,687 ten years after entry, $209 more than the $57,478 at Christian Brothers University. 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 Christian Brothers University?

Cumberland University: its completers carry a median $17,952 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Christian Brothers University, a difference of $9,048. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Christian Brothers University, 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 Christian Brothers University: frequently asked questions

Is Cumberland University or Christian Brothers University a better value?
Christian Brothers University. It clears its $39,416 net cost in about 4.3 years versus 8 years at Cumberland University, on median earnings of $57,478 vs $57,687 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Cumberland University or Christian Brothers University?
Christian Brothers University: $9,854/yr net price after aid versus $18,759/yr at Cumberland University — a difference of $8,905 a year, or about $35,620 over four years.
Do Cumberland University or Christian Brothers University graduates earn more?
Cumberland University graduates earn a median $57,687 ten years after entry, versus $57,478 at Christian Brothers University — a $209 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.