CMU vs. Michigan

Should I go to Central Michigan University or University of Michigan? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CMU or Michigan 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 Michigan comparison
Central Michigan University University of Michigan College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University University of Michigan
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Overview

CMU Michigan
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Ann Arbor, MI
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 14,399 52,065
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #802 #47
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu umich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU Michigan
Tuition (In State) $13,740 $16,896
Tuition (Out of State) $13,740 $57,740
Room & Board $12,178 $13,856
Avg Net Price $15,826 $19,005
Avg Grant Aid $10,638 $22,005
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 55%

Admission

CMU Michigan
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 18,102 87,632
Admitted 16,474 15,722
Acceptance Rate 91% 17.9%
Enrolled % 12.4% 47.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.88
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Exceptional
Applicant Competition Very High
ACT Range 21/27 31/34
SAT Range 960/1210 1350/1530
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 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

CMU Michigan
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Engineering (15%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

CMU Michigan
Graduation Rate 54% 90%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $74,400
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $20,103
Median Loan Payment $279 $207

Diversity

CMU Michigan
% Men 13% 18%
% Women 17% 18%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 62%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 7%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

CMU Michigan
% In-State 88% 51%
% Out-of-State 8% 44%

Campus

CMU Michigan
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 Michigan is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (52,065 students vs. 14,399 students)

CMU vs. Michigan Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Michigan?

  • University of Michigan is 23% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($16,896.00 vs. $13,740.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 320.2% higher at Michigan than Central Michigan University ($57,740.00 vs. $13,740.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Michigan ($15,826 vs. $19,005)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 13.8% lower than costs at University of Michigan ($12,178 vs. $13,856)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than University of Michigan (95% vs. 55%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Michigan students is 106.9% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($22,005 vs. $10,638)

CMU vs. Michigan Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Michigan (1384) is 335 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming Michigan students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Michigan (17.9%)

CMU vs. Michigan Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Michigan is higher than Central Michigan University (90% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of Michigan earn on average $29,900 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($74,400 vs. $44,500)
  • University of Michigan students graduate with a $6,897 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($20,103 vs. $27,000)
  • Michigan graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($207 vs. $279)
  • More Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 54%)

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