CMU vs. Michigan Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than Michigan Tech based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 7,403 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Michigan Technological University is in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Michigan Technological University 13:1.

CMU vs. Michigan Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University than CMU ($16,879 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 3.7% lower than at Michigan Technological University ($12,564 vs. $13,050).
• Michigan Technological University is 29.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $4,363 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 191.2% higher at Michigan Tech than at Central Michigan University (about $28,228 more per year; $42,988.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at Central Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan Technological University students is 52.6% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($19,898 vs. $13,042).

CMU vs. Michigan Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Tech and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan Technological University (1240) is 160 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming Michigan Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at CMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Michigan Technological University 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Michigan Technological University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Michigan Tech - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at CMU (3.47).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than CMU (89.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 12.9% at Michigan Tech.

CMU vs. Michigan Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Michigan Tech? 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).

• Michigan Technological University's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan Technological University graduates have a $100 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($26,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan Tech graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($278 vs. $279).
• More Michigan Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.