CMU vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

CMU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Cleveland State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than CMU ($16,230 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 16.8% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,564 vs. $15,104).
• Central Michigan University is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $1,772 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.4% higher at Cleveland State than at Central Michigan University (about $3,750 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at Cleveland State University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 33.1% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($13,042 vs. $9,795).

CMU vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Cleveland State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cleveland State and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 70 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming CMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• 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 (91.3%) than CMU (89.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

CMU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Cleveland State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Central Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $300 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.