CMU vs. Cleveland State

Should I go to Central Michigan University or Cleveland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CMU or Cleveland State 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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Central Michigan University vs. Cleveland State University comparison
Central Michigan University Cleveland State University College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University Cleveland State University
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Overview

 CMU Cleveland State
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Cleveland, OH
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 14,557 14,385
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #769
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CMU Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $17,359
Room & Board $11,248 $14,197
Avg Net Price $15,605 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 91%

Admission

 CMU Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 11,570
Admitted 15,701 9,872
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 85.3%
Enrolled % 12.9% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 18/25
SAT Range 980/1220 880/1130
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 15, 2025

Academics

 CMU Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 CMU Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 54% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

 CMU Cleveland State
% Men 40% 46%
% Women 60% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 64%
% Black 8% 17%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

 CMU Cleveland State
% In-State 90% 85%
% Out-of-State 9% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 14,385 students)

CMU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Cleveland State?

  • Central Michigan University is 8.7% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.5% higher at Cleveland State than Central Michigan University ($17,359.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Cleveland State ($15,605 vs. $15,719)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 26.2% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($11,248 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than Cleveland State University (96% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 19.9% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($11,314 vs. $9,436)

CMU vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 21 points higher than at Cleveland State (1028)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Cleveland State (22)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Cleveland State (3.31)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than CMU (78.9%)

CMU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State and CMU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Cleveland State University (54% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $300 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $44,200)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

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