Fitchburg State vs. CMU

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

Fitchburg State CMU
Location Fitchburg, MA Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Midsize Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 6,296 14,399
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #624 #802
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fitchburgstate.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fitchburg State CMU
Tuition (In State) $970 $13,740
Tuition (Out of State) $7,050 $13,740
Room & Board $14,225 $12,178
Avg Net Price $15,820 $15,826
Avg Grant Aid $8,717 $10,638
% Receiving Grant Aid 84% 95%

Admission

Fitchburg State CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,353 18,102
Admitted 3,915 16,474
Acceptance Rate 89.9% 91%
Enrolled % 15.6% 12.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.29 3.47
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 21/27
SAT Range 1030/1220 960/1210
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

Academics

Fitchburg State CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Fitchburg State CMU
Graduation Rate 47% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,000 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,685 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $234 $279

Diversity

Fitchburg State CMU
% Men 16% 13%
% Women 34% 17%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 79%
% Black 9% 8%
% Hispanic 11% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Fitchburg State CMU
% In-State 87% 88%
% Out-of-State 12% 8%

Campus

Fitchburg State CMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (14,399 students vs. 6,296 students)

Fitchburg State vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or CMU?

  • Central Michigan University is 1,316.5% more expensive to attend than Fitchburg State for in-state tuition ($13,740.00 vs. $970.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 94.9% higher at CMU than Fitchburg State University ($13,740.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fitchburg State University than CMU ($15,820 vs. $15,826)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 16.8% lower than costs at Fitchburg State University ($12,178 vs. $14,225)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than Fitchburg State University (95% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 22% larger than aid received Fitchburg State University ($10,638 vs. $8,717)

Fitchburg State vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 56 points higher than at Fitchburg State (993)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Fitchburg State (21)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than Fitchburg State (89.9%)

Fitchburg State vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fitchburg State or CMU? 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 CMU and Fitchburg State.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Fitchburg State University (54% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Central Michigan University earn on average $500 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates after ten years. ($44,500 vs. $44,000)
  • Fitchburg State University students graduate with a $4,315 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($22,685 vs. $27,000)
  • Fitchburg State graduates are paying $45 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($234 vs. $279)
  • More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 54%)

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