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WMU Eastern Michigan University Michigan State GVSU WSU Saginaw Valley State University Michigan Oakland Ferris State University Michigan Tech Northern Michigan University UM-Dearborn| Central Michigan University | University of South Carolina Aiken | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CMU | USC Aiken | ||
| Location | Mount Pleasant, MI | Aiken, SC | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 14,399 | 3,855 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #802 | #883 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | cmich.edu | usca.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CMU | USC Aiken | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $13,740 | $10,398 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $13,740 | $20,856 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,178 | $8,736 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,826 | $11,697 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,638 | $9,701 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 95% | 98% |
Admission |
CMU | USC Aiken | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 18,102 | 2,905 | ||
| Admitted | 16,474 | 2,316 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 91% | 79.7% | ||
| Enrolled % | 12.4% | 26.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.47 | 3.19 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/27 | 17/23 | ||
| SAT Range | 960/1210 | 970/1200 | ||
| 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 | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
CMU | USC Aiken | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 15:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
CMU | USC Aiken | ||
| Graduation Rate | 54% | 41% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,500 | $39,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 54% | 54% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $26,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $268 |
Diversity |
CMU | USC Aiken | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 13% | 6% | ||
| % Women | 17% | 13% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 79% | 58% | ||
| % Black | 8% | 27% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 4% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 2% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 3% | 2% |
Students |
CMU | USC Aiken | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 88% | 88% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 8% | 11% | ||
Campus |
CMU | USC Aiken | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Central Michigan University is larger than than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (14,399 students vs. 3,855 students)
CMU vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CMU or USC Aiken?
- Central Michigan University is 32.1% more expensive to attend than USC Aiken for in-state tuition ($13,740.00 vs. $10,398.00)
- Out of state tuition is 51.8% higher at USC Aiken than Central Michigan University ($20,856.00 vs. $13,740.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than CMU ($11,697 vs. $15,826)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 39.4% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($8,736 vs. $12,178)
- More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Central Michigan University (98% vs. 95%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 9.7% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($10,638 vs. $9,701)
CMU vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CMU or USC Aiken? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC Aiken or CMU .
- The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 73 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
- Incoming CMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at USC Aiken (21)
- Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
- CMU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than USC Aiken (79.7%)
CMU vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CMU or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and CMU.
- The graduation rate at CMU is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (54% vs. 41%)
- Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $4,900 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $39,600)
- University of South Carolina Aiken students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
- USC Aiken graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
- More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 54%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/