CMU vs. NDSU

Should I go to Central Michigan University or North Dakota State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CMU or NDSU 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. North Dakota State University Main Campus comparison
Central Michigan University North Dakota State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University North Dakota State University Main Campus
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Overview

CMU NDSU
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Fargo, ND
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 14,557 12,242
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #568
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu ndsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU NDSU
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $9,309
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $13,963
Room & Board $11,248 $9,300
Avg Net Price $15,605 $15,962
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $5,732
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 77%

Admission

CMU NDSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 8,535
Admitted 15,701 8,166
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 95.7%
Enrolled % 12.9% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.53
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 19/25
SAT Range 980/1220 968/1216
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 NDSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

CMU NDSU
Graduation Rate 54% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $53,600
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,300
Median Loan Payment $279 $240

Diversity

CMU NDSU
% Men 40% 49%
% Women 60% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 86%
% Black 8% 3%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

CMU NDSU
% In-State 90% 35%
% Out-of-State 9% 65%

Campus

CMU NDSU
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

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than NDSU based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 12,242 students)

CMU vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or NDSU?

  • Central Michigan University is 41.8% more expensive to attend than NDSU for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $9,309.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.8% higher at NDSU than Central Michigan University ($13,963.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than NDSU ($15,605 vs. $15,962)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 20.9% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($9,300 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than North Dakota State University Main Campus (96% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 97.4% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($11,314 vs. $5,732)

CMU vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 42 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming NDSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than CMU (78.9%)

CMU vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at CMU is the same as at North Dakota State University Main Campus (54% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $9,100 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $44,500)
  • North Dakota State University Main Campus students graduate with a $3,700 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($23,300 vs. $27,000)
  • NDSU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More NDSU 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/