CMU vs. UTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI with The University of Tennessee Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than UTC based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 11,775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 18:1.

CMU vs. UTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga than CMU ($15,347 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 0.3% lower than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga ($12,564 vs. $12,604).
• Central Michigan University is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTC (about $4,312 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $10,448.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.4% higher at UTC than at Central Michigan University (about $3,752 more per year; $18,512.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 29.9% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Chattanooga students ($13,042 vs. $10,038).

CMU vs. UTC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Chattanooga (1110) is 30 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at UTC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 1013/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; The University of Tennessee Chattanooga 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; UTC - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTC May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTC 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 UTC (81.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 29.2% at UTC.

CMU vs. UTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and UTC? 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 The University of Tennessee Chattanooga's (39%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than UTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga graduates have a $6,208 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($20,792 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UTC graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($214 vs. $279).
• More UTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.