CMU vs. Thiel College

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than Thiel College based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 950 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CMU vs. Thiel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Thiel College? 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 Thiel College ($17,575 vs. $22,545).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 19% lower than at Thiel College ($12,564 vs. $15,504).
• Thiel College is 159.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $23,584 more per year; $38,344.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.8% higher at Thiel College than at Central Michigan University (about $23,584 more per year; $38,344.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thiel College than at Central Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thiel College students is 132.8% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($30,356 vs. $13,042).

CMU vs. Thiel College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 10 points higher than at Thiel College (1070).
• Incoming CMU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Thiel College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Thiel College 965/1165.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Thiel College 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Thiel College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Thiel College (3.1).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Thiel College (71.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 11.4% at Thiel College.

CMU vs. Thiel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Thiel College? 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 Thiel College's (39%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Thiel College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Michigan University graduates have a $876 lower median loan debt than Thiel College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,876).
• Among borrowers, CMU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Thiel College graduates ($279 vs. $288).
• More Thiel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.