CMU vs. Kalamazoo College

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Kalamazoo College is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Kalamazoo College 10:1.

CMU vs. Kalamazoo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Kalamazoo College? 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 Central Michigan University than Kalamazoo College ($17,575 vs. $26,956).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 0.1% lower than at Central Michigan University ($12,549 vs. $12,564).
• Kalamazoo College is 313.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $46,290 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 313.6% higher at Kalamazoo College than at Central Michigan University (about $46,290 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo College than at Central Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 262.3% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($47,252 vs. $13,042).

CMU vs. Kalamazoo College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kalamazoo College (1280) is 200 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Kalamazoo College (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Kalamazoo College 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Kalamazoo College 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Kalamazoo College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kalamazoo College students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Kalamazoo College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 11.7% at Kalamazoo College.

CMU vs. Kalamazoo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Kalamazoo College? 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).

• Kalamazoo College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Kalamazoo College earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have a $550 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($26,450 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kalamazoo College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($273 vs. $279).
• More Kalamazoo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.