Adrian College vs. CMU

Should I go to Adrian College or Central Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Adrian College or CMU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Adrian College vs. Central Michigan University comparison
Adrian College Central Michigan University College 3 College 4
Adrian College Central Michigan University
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Overview

Adrian College CMU
Location Adrian, MI Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 1,760 14,399
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #800 #802
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website adrian.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Adrian College CMU
Tuition (In State) $39,280 $13,740
Tuition (Out of State) $39,280 $13,740
Room & Board $13,424 $12,178
Avg Net Price $22,053 $15,826
Avg Grant Aid $32,923 $10,638
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 95%

Admission

Adrian College CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,054 18,102
Admitted 2,088 16,474
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 91%
Enrolled % 23.2% 12.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.47
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/26 21/27
SAT Range 880/1120 960/1210
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Adrian College CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Adrian College CMU
Graduation Rate 49% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,900 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

Adrian College CMU
% Men 2% 13%
% Women 2% 17%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 79%
% Black 9% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 9% 3%

Students

Adrian College CMU
% In-State 67% 88%
% Out-of-State 27% 8%

Campus

Adrian College CMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than Adrian College based on total student enrollment (14,399 students vs. 1,760 students)

Adrian College vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Adrian College or CMU?

  • Adrian College is 185.9% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($39,280.00 vs. $13,740.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 185.9% higher at Adrian College than Central Michigan University ($39,280.00 vs. $13,740.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Adrian College ($15,826 vs. $22,053)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 10.2% lower than costs at Adrian College ($12,178 vs. $13,424)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Adrian College than Central Michigan University (99% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Adrian College students is 209.5% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($32,923 vs. $10,638)

Adrian College vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Adrian College or CMU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CMU or Adrian College .

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 41 points higher than at Adrian College (1008)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Adrian College (22)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Adrian College (3.2)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Adrian College (68.4%)

Adrian College vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Adrian College or CMU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CMU and Adrian College.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Adrian College (54% vs. 49%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $4,600 more per year than Adrian College graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $39,900)
  • Central Michigan University and Adrian College graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Central Michigan University and Adrian College graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More Adrian College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/