CMU vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than CMU based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 14,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

CMU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Kent 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 Central Michigan University than Kent State ($17,575 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 8.9% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($12,564 vs. $13,794).
• Central Michigan University is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $1,528 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $13,232.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.4% higher at Kent State than at Central Michigan University (about $8,322 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Central Michigan University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($13,042 vs. $10,076).

CMU vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Kent 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 Kent State and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kent State University at Kent (1130) is 50 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Kent State (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

CMU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Kent 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Kent graduates have a $1,175 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($25,825 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Kent State graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($267 vs. $279).
• More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 46%)

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.