CMU vs. Memphis

Deciding between Central Michigan University and University of Memphis? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Central Michigan University
University of Memphis

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • CMU Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Memphis Memphis, TN
  • Setting
  • CMU Distant Town
  • Memphis Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CMU 14,488
  • Memphis 20,276
  • Type
  • CMU Public 4 Year
  • Memphis Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • CMU #782
  • Memphis #882
  • Religious Affiliation
  • CMU -
  • Memphis -
  • Status
  • CMU Non-profit
  • Memphis Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • CMU
  • Memphis

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • CMU $14,760
  • Memphis $10,728
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • CMU $14,760
  • Memphis $15,384
  • Room & Board
  • CMU $12,564
  • Memphis $11,342
  • Average Net Price
  • CMU $17,575
  • Memphis $12,756
  • Average Grant Aid
  • CMU $13,042
  • Memphis $11,793
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • CMU 94%
  • Memphis 92%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • CMU 21,969
  • Memphis 15,084
  • Admitted
  • CMU 19,732
  • Memphis 10,865
  • Acceptance Rate
  • CMU 89.8%
  • Memphis 72%
  • Enrolled
  • CMU 11.3%
  • Memphis 18.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CMU 1080
  • Memphis 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • CMU 24
  • Memphis 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • CMU 3.47
  • Memphis 3.48
  • Typical High School Grades
  • CMU B+
  • Memphis B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • CMU Moderate
  • Memphis Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • CMU
  • Memphis Low
  • ACT Range
  • CMU 21/27
  • Memphis 18/24
  • SAT Range
  • CMU 960/1200
  • Memphis 915/1180
  • Submit Test Scores
  • CMU Test optional
  • Memphis Required
  • Application Deadline
  • CMU
  • Memphis Jul 1, 2027

  • Academics

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

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • CMU 39%
  • Memphis 41%
  • % Women
  • CMU 61%
  • Memphis 59%
  • Racial Diversity
  • CMU Low
  • Memphis High
  • HBCU
  • CMU No
  • Memphis No
  • % White
  • CMU 79%
  • Memphis 50%
  • % Asian
  • CMU 1%
  • Memphis 3%
  • % Black
  • CMU 8%
  • Memphis 37%
  • % Hispanic
  • CMU 4%
  • Memphis 4%
  • % Native American
  • CMU 1%
  • Memphis 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • CMU 0%
  • Memphis 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • CMU 3%
  • Memphis 4%
  • % International
  • CMU 2%
  • Memphis 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • CMU 3%
  • Memphis 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • CMU 88%
  • Memphis 84%
  • % Out-of-State
  • CMU 9%
  • Memphis 13%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Memphis is larger than CMU based on total student enrollment (20,276 students vs. 14,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CMU vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Memphis? 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 University of Memphis than CMU ($12,756 vs. $17,575).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 9.7% lower than at Central Michigan University ($11,342 vs. $12,564).
  • Central Michigan University is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Memphis (about $4,032 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $10,728.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Memphis than at Central Michigan University (about $624 more per year; $15,384.00 vs. $14,760.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at University of Memphis (94% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 10.6% larger than aid received by University of Memphis students ($13,042 vs. $11,793).

CMU vs. Memphis Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 30 points higher than at Memphis (1050).
  • Incoming CMU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Memphis).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; University of Memphis 915/1180.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; University of Memphis 18/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Memphis - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at CMU (3.47).
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Memphis (72%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

CMU vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Memphis? 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 University of Memphis's (38%).
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Memphis graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Memphis graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($25,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Memphis graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.