CMU vs. Penn State Shenango

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than Penn State Shenango based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Penn State Shenango is in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Shenango is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Penn State Shenango 7:1.

CMU vs. Penn State Shenango Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Penn State Shenango? 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 Shenango ($17,575 vs. $18,383).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 17.7% lower than at Penn State Shenango ($12,564 vs. $15,274).
• Central Michigan University is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Shenango (about $736 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $14,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.6% higher at Penn State Shenango than at Central Michigan University (about $8,800 more per year; $23,560.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Shenango than at Central Michigan University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 45.5% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($13,042 vs. $8,962).

CMU vs. Penn State Shenango Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Shenango (1140) is 60 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 Shenango 1040/1230.
• 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 Shenango - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than CMU (89.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 28% at Penn State Shenango.

CMU vs. Penn State Shenango Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Penn State Shenango? 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 Shenango's (44%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango 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 Shenango graduates have a $182 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($26,818 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn State Shenango graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($277 vs. $279).
• More Penn State Shenango 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.