


University of the Cumberlands is a private university in Williamsburg, Kentucky, whose roots reach back to Williamsburg Institute, founded in 1888. The school later became Cumberland College and adopted its current university name in 2005, reflecting an expansion beyond its earlier college-level offerings.
Its history remains visible in its Christian identity and its connection to the Appalachian region. Today, the institution serves both students on its Williamsburg campus and a much larger population enrolled in other formats. That distinction matters when interpreting university-wide enrollment figures: they do not describe the size of the residential campus alone.
University of the Cumberlands offers undergraduate and graduate study across the arts and sciences, business, education, health-related fields, and professional disciplines. Its academic offerings include subjects such as biology, psychology, criminal justice, business, teacher preparation, nursing, and information technology.
Prospective students should distinguish a subject area from a particular credential or delivery format. A field represented in the university's program directory may have different on-campus and online options, and admission to the university does not necessarily satisfy separate requirements for nursing, teacher certification, clinical placements, or graduate study. The current academic catalog is the appropriate place to check a program's degree requirements and whether it leads toward a particular professional credential.
University of the Cumberlands is based in Williamsburg, a small city in southeastern Kentucky near the Tennessee border. Students seeking a traditional campus experience should expect a small-community setting rather than an urban one.
The Williamsburg location makes transportation planning important, particularly for students arranging internships, clinical experiences, or trips home. First-year students are permitted to register or park a car on campus. Applicants to an online program should confirm which, if any, activities require travel to Williamsburg or another site; the university's location is not necessarily the location of every student's classes.
University of the Cumberlands describes its educational purpose in terms of academic learning, service, and Christian values. Its Baptist heritage is part of the institution's identity, and that context is relevant to students considering its campus culture and community activities.
A stated mission describes institutional priorities, not a measurable outcome for every student. Applicants who want to understand how the university's religious identity affects their experience should examine the current student handbook, required coursework, and policies for the program and campus experience they intend to pursue.
Name of the institution
University of the CumberlandsLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Town: RemoteInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
20,000 and aboveReligious affiliation
Protestant (Baptist Church)School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1888University of the Cumberlands is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.