CMU vs. Jackson State University

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

CMU Jackson State University
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Jackson, MS
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 14,557 6,906
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #961
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu jsums.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU Jackson State University
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $8,270
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $8,270
Room & Board $11,248 $10,445
Avg Net Price $15,605 $15,292
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $8,694
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 86%

Admission

CMU Jackson State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 12,583
Admitted 15,701 11,153
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 88.6%
Enrolled % 12.9% 10.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.1
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 16/21
SAT Range 980/1220 1073/1210
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 Jul 15, 2025

Academics

CMU Jackson State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

CMU Jackson State University
Graduation Rate 54% 40%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $32,800
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $29,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $299

Diversity

CMU Jackson State University
% Men 40% 33%
% Women 60% 67%
Racial Diversity Low Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 79% 4%
% Black 8% 92%
% Hispanic 4% 0%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

CMU Jackson State University
% In-State 90% 27%
% Out-of-State 9% 72%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than Jackson State University based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 6,906 students)

CMU vs. Jackson State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Jackson State University?

  • Central Michigan University is 59.6% more expensive to attend than Jackson State University for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $8,270.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 59.6% higher at CMU than Jackson State University ($13,200.00 vs. $8,270.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Jackson State University than CMU ($15,292 vs. $15,605)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jackson State University are 7.7% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($10,445 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than Jackson State University (96% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 30.1% larger than aid received Jackson State University ($11,314 vs. $8,694)

CMU vs. Jackson State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 139 points higher than at Jackson State University (910)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Jackson State University (19)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Jackson State University (3.1)
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than CMU (78.9%)

CMU vs. Jackson State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU or Jackson State University? 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 Jackson State University and CMU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Jackson State University (54% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $11,700 more per year than Jackson State University graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $32,800)
  • Central Michigan University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Jackson State University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $29,000)
  • CMU graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than Jackson State University graduates. ($279 vs. $299)
  • More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jackson State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 36%)

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