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Lebanon squarePhoto: Eric Polk(Epolk) · Public domain
Colleges in and near Lebanon

Lebanon is home to Cumberland University

Cumberland University (2,727 students on campus) is inside the city. About 5% of Lebanon’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Tennessee (5%).

Cumberland University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Lebanon. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
7,017 students on campus
Nearest college
2.6 mi
Cumberland University
Residents in college
5%
About the same as TN (5%)
Nearest community college
14.1 mi
Volunteer State · $4,756 tuition
Nearest public university
24.2 mi
Middle Tennessee State · $10,266 in-state
Median household income
$73K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Lebanon

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in LebanonCumberland University has 2,727 students on campus in Lebanon, 46% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 14.1 miles awayVolunteer State Community College in Gallatin: tuition and fees $4,756 a year for Tennessee residents.In-state price at Middle Tennessee StateLiving in Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State University charges $10,266 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $31,574. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 5% of residentsAbout the same as Tennessee (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Lebanon

One private college within 2.6 miles, and Volunteer State Community College 14.1 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Middle Tennessee State University, is 24.2 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miVolunteer StateCumberland UniversityLebanon
University or collegeCommunity college
Cumberland UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,727 on campus · In Lebanon67%admitted$19knet price46%graduate$58kearningsVolunteer State Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,290 on campus · 14.1 mi · Gallatin$8knet price28%graduate$41kearningsTuition and fees: $4,756 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Lebanon’s median household income ($72,848) falls.

Volunteer State Community College14.1 mi · Gallatin · sticker $16,401 · tuition $4,756$8,965a year
Middle Tennessee State University24.2 mi · Murfreesboro · sticker $24,289$13,007a year
Cumberland UniversityIn Lebanon · sticker $43,358$19,609a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Cumberland UniversityVolunteer StateMiddle Tennessee State
Middle Tennessee State University54% graduate$49k earnings$20k typical debt
Volunteer State Community College28% graduate$41k earnings$8k typical debt
Cumberland University46% graduate$58k earnings$18k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Lebanon

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Cumberland University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 29%Liberal arts 24%Health professions 9%Parks & recreation 8%Biology 7%Education 7%Everything else 16%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing61 graduates a year
$79k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations44 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services22 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Psychology, General21 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections16 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Lebanon

Is Lebanon a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Lebanon residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Tennessee (5). The largest campus in the city, Cumberland University, has 2,727 students on campus.

What colleges are in Lebanon?

Cumberland University is inside the city. Volunteer State Community College is 14.1 miles away in Gallatin.

What is the closest community college to Lebanon, and what does it cost?

Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, 14.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,756 a year for Tennessee residents; the federal net price, $7,802, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Middle Tennessee State University cost if we live in Tennessee?

Tuition and fees are $10,266 a year in-state and $31,574 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,289 (under $30,000 income) to $19,046 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Lebanon. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →