CMU vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

CMU vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets ($17,575 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 0% lower than at The University of Olivet ($12,564 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 130.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $19,308 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.8% higher at OC Comets than at Central Michigan University (about $19,308 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Central Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 113.6% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($27,858 vs. $13,042).

CMU vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 60 points higher than at OC Comets (1020).
• Incoming CMU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at OC Comets).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; The University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; OC Comets - Test-free.
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than OC Comets (83.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

CMU vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and OC Comets? 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 The University of Olivet's (46%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than OC Comets graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Olivet and CMU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, The University of Olivet and CMU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC Comets students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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.