CMU vs. GVSU

Deciding between Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Central Michigan University
Grand Valley State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CMU Mount Pleasant, MI
  • GVSU Allendale, MI
  • Setting
  • CMU Distant Town
  • GVSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • CMU 14,488
  • GVSU 22,011
  • Type
  • CMU Public 4 Year
  • GVSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CMU #782
  • GVSU #461
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CMU -
  • GVSU -
  • Status
  • CMU Non-profit
  • GVSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CMU
  • GVSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CMU $14,760
  • GVSU $15,140
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CMU $14,760
  • GVSU $21,548
  • Room & Board
  • CMU $12,564
  • GVSU $11,550
  • Average Net Price
  • CMU $17,575
  • GVSU $17,198
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CMU $13,042
  • GVSU $11,188
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CMU 94%
  • GVSU 90%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CMU 21,969
  • GVSU 27,059
  • Admitted
  • CMU 19,732
  • GVSU 22,464
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CMU 89.8%
  • GVSU 83%
  • Enrolled
  • CMU 11.3%
  • GVSU 18.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CMU 1080
  • GVSU 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • CMU 24
  • GVSU 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • CMU 3.47
  • GVSU 3.65
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CMU B+
  • GVSU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • CMU Moderate
  • GVSU Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • CMU
  • GVSU
  • ACT Range
  • CMU 21/27
  • GVSU 22/30
  • SAT Range
  • CMU 960/1200
  • GVSU 940/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CMU Test optional
  • GVSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • CMU
  • GVSU May 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • CMU 16:1
  • GVSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • CMU
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)
  • GVSU
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • CMU 54%
  • GVSU 63%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • CMU $44,500
  • GVSU $44,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • CMU 54%
  • GVSU 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • CMU $27,000
  • GVSU $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • CMU $279
  • GVSU $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CMU 39%
  • GVSU 38%
  • % Women
  • CMU 61%
  • GVSU 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CMU Low
  • GVSU Low
  • HBCU
  • CMU No
  • GVSU No
  • % White
  • CMU 79%
  • GVSU 83%
  • % Asian
  • CMU 1%
  • GVSU 2%
  • % Black
  • CMU 8%
  • GVSU 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • CMU 4%
  • GVSU 5%
  • % Native American
  • CMU 1%
  • GVSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CMU 0%
  • GVSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CMU 3%
  • GVSU 3%
  • % International
  • CMU 2%
  • GVSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CMU 3%
  • GVSU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CMU 88%
  • GVSU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CMU 9%
  • GVSU 8%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • CMU Yes
  • GVSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • CMU No
  • GVSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • CMU Yes
  • GVSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • CMU Yes
  • GVSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • CMU No
  • GVSU Yes

Comparable Facts

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

Grand Valley State University is larger than CMU based on total student enrollment (22,011 students vs. 14,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Grand Valley State University is in Allendale, MI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Grand Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Grand Valley State University 15:1.

CMU vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or GVSU? 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 Grand Valley State University than CMU ($17,198 vs. $17,575).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 8.1% lower than at Central Michigan University ($11,550 vs. $12,564).
  • Grand Valley State University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $380 more per year; $15,140.00 vs. $14,760.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 46% higher at GVSU than at Central Michigan University (about $6,788 more per year; $21,548.00 vs. $14,760.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at Grand Valley State University (94% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Grand Valley State University students ($13,042 vs. $11,188).

CMU vs. GVSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or GVSU? 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 GVSU and CMU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 10 points higher than at GVSU (1070).
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at CMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Grand Valley State University 940/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Grand Valley State University 22/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; GVSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: GVSU May 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at CMU (3.47).
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than GVSU (83%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 18.6% at GVSU.

CMU vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and GVSU? 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).

  • Grand Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Central Michigan University's (54%).
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Grand Valley State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, GVSU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 54%)

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.