CMU vs. Penn State New Kensington

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI with Penn State New Kensington in New Kensington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than Penn State New Kensington based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Penn State New Kensington is in New Kensington, PA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State New Kensington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Penn State New Kensington 9:1.

CMU vs. Penn State New Kensington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington ($17,575 vs. $19,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 17.7% lower than at Penn State New Kensington ($12,564 vs. $15,274).
• Central Michigan University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State New Kensington (about $352 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $14,408.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.5% higher at Penn State New Kensington than at Central Michigan University (about $9,374 more per year; $24,134.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University as at Penn State New Kensington (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 67% larger than aid received by Penn State New Kensington students ($13,042 vs. $7,809).

CMU vs. Penn State New Kensington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State New Kensington (1190) is 110 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Penn State New Kensington 1110/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Penn State New Kensington - Test optional.
• Penn State New Kensington has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than CMU (89.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 22% at Penn State New Kensington.

CMU vs. Penn State New Kensington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Penn State New Kensington? 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 Penn State New Kensington's (40%).
• Graduates from Penn State New Kensington earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn State New Kensington graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State New Kensington graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State New Kensington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.