CMU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 8,376 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is in Slippery Rock, PA (Distant Town setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

CMU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ($17,575 vs. $18,252).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania are 13.2% lower than at Central Michigan University ($10,902 vs. $12,564).
• Central Michigan University is 39.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (about $4,192 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $10,568.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at CMU than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (about $84 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $14,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (94% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 90.1% larger than aid received by Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania students ($13,042 vs. $6,862).

CMU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (1090) is 10 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 980/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central Michigan University 21/27; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 33.5% at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

CMU vs. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.