CMU vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CMU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University than CMU ($11,546 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 1.8% lower than at Central Michigan University ($12,340 vs. $12,564).
• Central Michigan University is 14.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $1,830 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $12,930.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 106.3% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Central Michigan University (about $15,690 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Central Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($13,512 vs. $13,042).

CMU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 30 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming CMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Saginaw Valley State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Saginaw Valley State University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

CMU vs. Saginaw Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Saginaw Valley State University? 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 Saginaw Valley State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saginaw Valley State University and CMU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Saginaw Valley State University 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 Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

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.