CMU vs. LEC

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

CMU LEC
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Painesville, OH
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 14,557 906
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #715
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu lec.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU LEC
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $33,588
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $33,588
Room & Board $11,248 $10,842
Avg Net Price $15,605 $22,678
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $25,417
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 100%

Admission

CMU LEC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 1,085
Admitted 15,701 587
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 54.1%
Enrolled % 12.9% 38.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/27 20/26
SAT Range 980/1220 1000/1170
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 LEC
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (36%)
  • Agriculture (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

CMU LEC
Graduation Rate 54% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $36,600
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

CMU LEC
% Men 40% 55%
% Women 60% 45%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 77%
% Black 8% 10%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

CMU LEC
% In-State 90% 54%
% Out-of-State 9% 40%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

CMU vs. LEC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or LEC?

  • Lake Erie College is 154.5% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($33,588.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 154.5% higher at LEC than Central Michigan University ($33,588.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than LEC ($15,605 vs. $22,678)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Erie College are 3.7% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($10,842 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Lake Erie College than Central Michigan University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Erie College students is 124.7% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($25,417 vs. $11,314)

CMU vs. LEC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 60 points higher than at LEC (989)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at LEC (21)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at LEC (3.19)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than LEC (54.1%)

CMU vs. LEC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU or LEC? 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 LEC and CMU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Lake Erie College (54% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $7,900 more per year than LEC graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $36,600)
  • Lake Erie College and CMU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Lake Erie College and CMU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More LEC 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/