Our One Price Promise

No hidden fees. No fine print. No kidding.

We understand that choosing the right college isn't an easy task; there are many factors to consider, from student life to academics to finances. At the end of the day, you need a college education you can afford. Many colleges are quick to tell you their tuition costs, but they neglect to mention all the hidden fees that are a true reflection of the full cost of college. Not us.

You can forget about paying for laundry, parking, recreation fees, and textbooks; it's all covered at Cumberlands. Our sticker price is what you pay, period.

We believe you should be able to afford an education, learn in a quality academic setting, and have your needs put first, without all the fine print. That's why our main focus is on one thing: You. That's the Cumberlands Commitment.

Students pose with sunglasses and UC sign
What's included in your tuition? Everything.

What's included in your tuition? Everything.

At Cumberlands we empower you to learn on your own terms, at your own pace, with zero fine print, exceptions, or funny business. One focus: You. One price for everything, all included, even books. Why? Because that's Cumberlands' One Price Promise.

By the Numbers

Numbers don't lie. See for yourself how affordable an education at Cumberlands is.

$13.2K

Average Financial Aid

96%

Receive Financial Aid

1 in 4

Students Debt-Free

Lowest

Student Debt in KY

The Cumberlands Commitment

It all started with us cutting tuition by 57%. Today, the Cumberlands Commitment has been expanded to address affordability for all students by cutting dependency on federal loans.

An aerial view of the Rollins quadrangle.
Gatliff Memorial Chapel

Tuition Comparison Worksheet

Most colleges are quick to tell you their tuition cost, but that is rarely reflective of the full cost of college. Use this worksheet to compare cost of attendance here with other schools you're considering.

Making education affordable for all.

We know cost is a big factor in choosing a college. You need to be wise with your finances. That's why Cumberlands does all we can to make your experience as affordable as possible.

Save up to $25,000 per year.

Save up to $25,000 per year.

Total cost at Cumberlands, a private university, is $3,800 less than the average public college in Kentucky and a whopping $25,000 less than the average Kentucky private school.

Opportunities for Reinvestment

Opportunities for Reinvestment

You could have spent hundreds of dollars a year on textbooks. Instead, at Cumberlands, you have the freedom to invest that money elsewhere. We include textbooks in our tuition.

Highest Social Mobility in KY

Highest Social Mobility in KY

Social mobility is when someone who was in a lower socio-economic "class" is able to make their way into a higher class. It's hard to do that when you're weighed down with college debt. Thanks to Cumberlands' affordability, our students have the highest rate of social mobility of any school in Kentucky.

What’s included in your tuition? Everything.

What’s included in your tuition? Everything.

And we mean everything: laundry, parking, recreation, WiFi, tutoring, counseling, and textbooks. No hidden fees or fine print, no carrying quarters with you to the laundry room. It's all covered at Cumberlands.

Quality Education with Less Debt

Quality Education with Less Debt

A college education that grows you socially while giving you the knowledge and skills to prepare you for a successful career – that's a worthy investment. But you shouldn't be weighed down for years with debt to get it. According to U.S. News & World Report, Cumberlands students report the lowest student loan debt of any college in Kentucky.

Earn money for hands-on training during college.

Earn money for hands-on training during college.

We offer both federal and presidential work-study options, meaning you can get hands-on workforce training in a variety of departments across campus while earning money to put toward your tuition. Getting trained in a job you love while simultaneously paying for college? Sort of a win-win.

Cost of Attendance Guidelines

The cost of attendance (COA) is the cornerstone of establishing a student’s financial need, as it sets a limit on the total aid that a student may receive.

A student poses on campus in front of the admissions office

One Price Promise FAQs

Absolutely. Students can transfer a percentage of their coursework to Cumberlands (75 percent for undergraduate students and 33 percent for graduate students). We can provide every student with a free transfer credit evaluation in order to let you know what credits will be applied to your degree, how long it will take to earn your degree and how much tuition will cost over that period.

The Prior Learning Program allows students to gain credit for their professional and educational experiences that apply to their current coursework.  There are three pathways of Prior Learning credit that students can pursue including passing a knowledge exam, providing proof of experiential credit or providing certification that aligns with prior coursework. 

If you are interested in pursuing Prior Learning:

  • Complete this SURVEY to see how you might earn Prior Learning credits. 
  • Discuss it with your Student Success Coordinator to see if there are opportunities within your degree plan.  
  • If you are a current student and if you are ready to apply, please review these instructions for completing the form and the application can be found through UC One and selecting “UC Reporting and Request Form” then selecting “Prior Learning Request” on the Report Type drop-down.

Prior Learning Program Contact: priorlearning [at] ucumberlands.edu (priorlearning[at]ucumberlands[dot]edu)

Every student enrolled at Cumberlands gets full access to The Learning Commons - our dedicated academic resource center. The Learning Commons provides various services and events like peer study groups, one-on-one tutoring, workshops covering specific topics and skills, and a toolbox of resources that can support students succeed both in the classroom and the whole University experience! The Grover M. Hermann Library also offers an immense amount of physical and digital resources inside a $7.5 million learning center available to all students. 

Students at University of the Cumberlands can earn certificates in a number of courses that help to display mastery of certain skills beyond the classroom. Some of our graduate programs also offer abbreviated certificate programs that stand alone or can be used to launch into full masters programs. 

At University of the Cumberlands, we strive to help make an education affordable.  even with our One Price Promise tuition guarantee, many students are still eligible for scholarships. We offer a number of scholarships that are available to full-time undergraduate students and are renewable for up to 4 years.  Scholarship amounts range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.  Students may qualify for only one scholarship in the academic category. We also provide resources for external scholarships that may help students financially throughout their collegiate experience. 

Yes. Cumberlands partners with Barnes & Noble to provide all students with textbooks and, in some cases, other required course materials, free of charge through our One Price Promise initiative. Students will have access to materials on the first day of class and can return them at the end of the semester. Students wanting to keep their textbooks can do so by purchasing the textbooks directly from Barnes & Noble. 

Learn More

Absolutely not. Out-of-state students interested in attending University of the Cumberlands pay exactly the same tuition rate as in-state students. It doesn't matter if you take classes on-campus or online, you will not pay more for tuition. Out-of-state students also recieve all the other benefits in-state students do like free textbooks, free parking and free access to tutoring and academic resources. 

Your Financial Aid Team

The financial aid process for college doesn't have to be confusing. We're always here to help!

Kendall Adams Young

Kendall Adams-Young

Financial Aid Counselor
Financial Aid

Kendall Adams-Young

Contact Information

kendall.adams-young [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Administration Building
Aubrey Shannon

Aubrey Shannon

Financial Aid Officer
Financial Aid

Aubrey Shannon

Contact Information

aubrey.shannon [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Administration Building
Lisa Siler

Lisa Siler

Financial Aid Reconciliation Specialist
Financial Aid

Lisa Siler

Contact Information

studentfinancial [at] ucumberlands.edu
Gatliff Administration Building