CMU vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 2,441 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

CMU vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or SAU? 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 SAU ($17,575 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 8.9% lower than at Central Michigan University ($11,440 vs. $12,564).
• Spring Arbor University is 130.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $19,254 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.4% higher at SAU than at Central Michigan University (about $19,254 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Central Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 83.1% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($23,877 vs. $13,042).

CMU vs. SAU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 50 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• 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; SAU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 16.5% at SAU.

CMU vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and SAU? 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).

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than SAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $2,957 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($24,043 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.