CMU vs. UM-Dearborn

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than UM-Dearborn based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 8,104 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CMU vs. UM-Dearborn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or UM-Dearborn? 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 Michigan Dearborn than CMU ($11,521 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Michigan Dearborn are 10.5% lower than at Central Michigan University ($11,241 vs. $12,564).
• University of Michigan Dearborn is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $880 more per year; $15,640.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.9% higher at UM-Dearborn than at Central Michigan University (about $18,136 more per year; $32,896.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Michigan Dearborn than at Central Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 7.6% larger than aid received by University of Michigan Dearborn students ($13,042 vs. $12,124).

CMU vs. UM-Dearborn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or UM-Dearborn? 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 UM-Dearborn and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Michigan Dearborn (1120) is 40 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming UM-Dearborn students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at CMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; University of Michigan Dearborn 990/1255.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; University of Michigan Dearborn 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; UM-Dearborn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UM-Dearborn Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UM-Dearborn students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than UM-Dearborn (55.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 14.2% at UM-Dearborn.

CMU vs. UM-Dearborn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and UM-Dearborn? 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 Michigan Dearborn's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,800 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Michigan Dearborn graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($25,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UM-Dearborn graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($266 vs. $279).
• More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UM-Dearborn students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 46%)

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.