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WMU Eastern Michigan University Michigan State GVSU WSU Saginaw Valley State University Michigan Oakland Ferris State University Michigan Tech Northern Michigan University UM-Dearborn| Central Michigan University | Spring Arbor University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CMU | SAU | ||
| Location | Mount Pleasant, MI | Spring Arbor, MI | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Small Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 14,557 | 2,396 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #715 | #501 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Free Methodist | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | cmich.edu | arbor.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CMU | SAU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $13,200 | $31,020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $13,200 | $31,020 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,248 | $10,652 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,605 | $22,375 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $11,314 | $20,677 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 96% | 99% |
Admission |
CMU | SAU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 19,888 | 2,312 | ||
| Admitted | 15,701 | 1,094 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 78.9% | 47.3% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.9% | 20.8% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.47 | 3.61 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | 20/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 980/1220 | 970/1135 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline |
Academics |
CMU | SAU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 17:1 | 10:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
CMU | SAU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 54% | 56% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,500 | $42,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 54% | 58% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $24,043 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $248 |
Diversity |
CMU | SAU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 40% | 23% | ||
| % Women | 60% | 77% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 77% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 10% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 2% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 5% |
Students |
CMU | SAU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 90% | 83% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 9% | 13% | ||
Campus |
CMU | SAU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Central Michigan University is larger than than SAU based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 2,396 students)
CMU vs. SAU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CMU or SAU?
- Spring Arbor University is 135% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $13,200.00)
- Out of state tuition is 135% higher at SAU than Central Michigan University ($31,020.00 vs. $13,200.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than SAU ($15,605 vs. $22,375)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 5.6% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($10,652 vs. $11,248)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Central Michigan University (99% vs. 96%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 82.8% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($20,677 vs. $11,314)
CMU vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CMU or SAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SAU or CMU .
- The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 24 points higher than at CMU (1049)
- Incoming CMU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at SAU (23)
- 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 (78.9%) than SAU (47.3%)
CMU vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CMU or SAU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SAU and CMU.
- The graduation rate at SAU is higher than Central Michigan University (56% vs. 54%)
- Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $1,900 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $42,600)
- Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $2,957 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($24,043 vs. $27,000)
- SAU graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans 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/