Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee campus
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Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee

Lebanon, Tennessee, United States of America

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Founded in 1842, Cumberland University is a private, liberal arts institution located in Lebanon, Tennessee, approximately 25–30 miles east of Nashville. It is recognized as one of the oldest universities in the South and is currently one of the fastest-growing in Tennessee. 

Academic Profile

  • Programs: Offers over 80 majors, minors, and graduate programs across three schools: the School of Humanities, Education, and the Arts, the Labry School of Science, Technology, and Business, and the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions.
  • Degrees: Confers Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees, with popular undergraduate majors including Nursing, Business Administration, Psychology, and Criminal Justice.
  • Learning Environment: Maintains a 16:1 to 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio, emphasizing small class sizes and personalized mentorship from professors.
  • Admissions: Operates with a test-optional policy for first-time freshmen, though scores are encouraged for scholarships. 

Student Life & Athletics

  • Enrollment: Approximately 3,400+ students representing nearly 40 states and over 48 countries.
  • Campus Life: Features 55+ student organizations, Greek life, and five residence halls housing over 500 students.
  • Athletics: Competes as the Phoenix in the NAIA (Mid-South Conference), fielding 31 men’s and women’s teams, including football, baseball, and esports. 

Affordability & Outcomes

  • Financial Aid: More than 97% of undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.
  • Value: The university is a participant in the Tennessee Promise program and reports an average out-of-pocket tuition cost significantly lower than the national average for private 4-year colleges.
  • Alumni Legacy: Notable graduates include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Cordell Hull, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, and 13 governors. 

History & Culture

  • The Phoenix Mascot: Adopted after the university was burned during the Civil War, symbolizing "rising from the ashes" (Ex Cineribus Resurgam).
  • Historical Firsts: Founded the first law school in Tennessee and the first west of the Appalachian Mountains (though the law school was later sold to Samford University).