CMU vs. Memphis

Should I go to Central Michigan University or University of Memphis? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CMU or Memphis is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Central Michigan University vs. University of Memphis comparison
Central Michigan University University of Memphis College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University University of Memphis
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Overview

CMU Memphis
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Memphis, TN
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 14,557 21,917
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #883
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu memphis.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU Memphis
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $8,352
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $12,576
Room & Board $11,248 $10,126
Avg Net Price $15,605 $13,873
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $9,625
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 98%

Admission

CMU Memphis
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 15,767
Admitted 15,701 14,916
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 94.6%
Enrolled % 12.9% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.48
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 17/24
SAT Range 980/1220 930/1230
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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

CMU Memphis
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)

Outcomes

CMU Memphis
Graduation Rate 54% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 37%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $261

Diversity

CMU Memphis
% Men 40% 40%
% Women 60% 60%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 79% 50%
% Black 8% 37%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

CMU Memphis
% In-State 90% 81%
% Out-of-State 9% 17%

Campus

CMU Memphis
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Memphis is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (21,917 students vs. 14,557 students)

CMU vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Memphis?

  • Central Michigan University is 58% more expensive to attend than Memphis for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $8,352.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5% higher at CMU than University of Memphis ($13,200.00 vs. $12,576.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Memphis than CMU ($13,873 vs. $15,605)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 11.1% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($10,126 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Memphis than Central Michigan University (98% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 17.5% larger than aid received University of Memphis ($11,314 vs. $9,625)

CMU vs. Memphis Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Memphis? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Memphis or CMU .

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 20 points higher than at Memphis (1029)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Memphis (22)
  • Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • Memphis has a higher acceptance rate (94.6%) than CMU (78.9%)

CMU vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU or Memphis? 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 Memphis and CMU.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than University of Memphis (54% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $2,300 more per year than Memphis graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $42,200)
  • University of Memphis students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($25,250 vs. $27,000)
  • Memphis graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($261 vs. $279)
  • More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/