CMU vs. W&J

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI with Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than W&J based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 1,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Washington & Jefferson College is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington & Jefferson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Washington & Jefferson College 11:1.

CMU vs. W&J Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or W&J? 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 Central Michigan University than W&J ($17,575 vs. $22,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 14.6% lower than at Washington & Jefferson College ($12,564 vs. $14,710).
• Washington & Jefferson College is 99.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $14,632 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.1% higher at W&J than at Central Michigan University (about $14,632 more per year; $29,392.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington & Jefferson College than at Central Michigan University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington & Jefferson College students is 54.5% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($20,152 vs. $13,042).

CMU vs. W&J Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or W&J? 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 W&J and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington & Jefferson College (1130) is 50 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at W&J).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Washington & Jefferson College 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Washington & Jefferson College 19/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; W&J - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman W&J students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than W&J (80.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 12.6% at W&J.

CMU vs. W&J Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and W&J? 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).

• Washington & Jefferson College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Washington & Jefferson College earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington & Jefferson College and CMU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Washington & Jefferson College and CMU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More W&J graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 54%)

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.