CMU vs. Kent State

Should I go to Central Michigan University or Kent State University at Kent? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CMU or Kent State 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Central Michigan University vs. Kent State University at Kent comparison
Central Michigan University Kent State University at Kent College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University Kent State University at Kent
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

CMU Kent State
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Kent, OH
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 14,557 25,854
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #839
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu kent.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU Kent State
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $12,304
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $21,410
Room & Board $11,248 $12,676
Avg Net Price $15,605 $19,046
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $9,539
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 96%

Admission

CMU Kent State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 20,369
Admitted 15,701 17,929
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 88%
Enrolled % 12.9% 23.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.61
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 18/25
SAT Range 980/1220 990/1220
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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

CMU Kent State
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

CMU Kent State
Graduation Rate 54% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,825
Median Loan Payment $279 $267

Diversity

CMU Kent State
% Men 40% 37%
% Women 60% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 75%
% Black 8% 9%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

CMU Kent State
% In-State 90% 80%
% Out-of-State 9% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Kent State University at Kent is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (25,854 students vs. 14,557 students)

CMU vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Kent State?

  • Central Michigan University is 7.3% more expensive to attend than Kent State for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $12,304.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 62.2% higher at Kent State than Central Michigan University ($21,410.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Kent State ($15,605 vs. $19,046)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 12.7% lower than costs at Kent State University at Kent ($11,248 vs. $12,676)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University as Kent State University at Kent (96% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 18.6% larger than aid received Kent State University at Kent ($11,314 vs. $9,539)

CMU vs. Kent State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Kent State University at Kent (1067) is 18 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming CMU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at Kent State (23)
  • Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than CMU (78.9%)

CMU vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU or Kent State? 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 Kent State and CMU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Kent State University at Kent (54% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $4,200 more per year than Kent State graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $40,300)
  • Kent State University at Kent students graduate with a $1,175 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($25,825 vs. $27,000)
  • Kent State graduates are paying $12 less per month on federal student loans 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/