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University of the Cumberlands vs Alice Lloyd College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Williamsburg KY · vs · Private nonprofit, Pippa Passes KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of the Cumberlands comes closer — median earnings $45,036 against a $56,428 total, vs $40,573 at Alice Lloyd College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of the CumberlandsAlice Lloyd College
Net price / yr$14,107$18,600
Total net cost$56,428$74,400
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,036$40,573
Median debt$14,911$19,599
Payback
20-year net return-$122,908-$230,140

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

Which is cheaper, University of the Cumberlands or Alice Lloyd College?

University of the Cumberlands, at $14,107 a year after aid versus $18,600 — a gap of $4,493 a year, or $17,972 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of the Cumberlands or Alice Lloyd College graduates earn more?

University of the Cumberlands graduates report a median $45,036 ten years after entry, $4,463 more than the $40,573 at Alice Lloyd College. 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, University of the Cumberlands or Alice Lloyd College?

University of the Cumberlands: its completers carry a median $14,911 in federal loans versus $19,599 at Alice Lloyd College, a difference of $4,688. 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 University of the Cumberlands, against 39% at Alice Lloyd College. 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.

University of the Cumberlands vs Alice Lloyd College: frequently asked questions

Is University of the Cumberlands or Alice Lloyd College a better value?
University of the Cumberlands comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, University of the Cumberlands or Alice Lloyd College?
University of the Cumberlands: $14,107/yr net price after aid versus $18,600/yr at Alice Lloyd College — a difference of $4,493 a year, or about $17,972 over four years.
Do University of the Cumberlands or Alice Lloyd College graduates earn more?
University of the Cumberlands graduates earn a median $45,036 ten years after entry, versus $40,573 at Alice Lloyd College — a $4,463 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.