IUPUI vs. CMU

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

 IUPUI CMU
Location Indianapolis, IN Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 25,497 14,399
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #458 #802
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iupui.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 IUPUI CMU
Tuition (In State) $9,241 $13,740
Tuition (Out of State) $32,509 $13,740
Room & Board $13,010 $12,178
Avg Net Price $11,592 $15,826
Avg Grant Aid $11,473 $10,638
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 95%

Admission

 IUPUI CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,715 18,102
Admitted 12,791 16,474
Acceptance Rate 81.4% 91%
Enrolled % 25.7% 12.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 21/27
SAT Range 1040/1230 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 May 15, 2026

Academics

 IUPUI CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (5%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 IUPUI CMU
Graduation Rate 33% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,600 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,090 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $238 $279

Diversity

 IUPUI CMU
% Men 12% 13%
% Women 21% 17%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 79%
% Black 10% 8%
% Hispanic 6% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 IUPUI CMU
% In-State 91% 88%
% Out-of-State 7% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (25,497 students vs. 14,399 students)

IUPUI vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IUPUI or CMU?

  • Central Michigan University is 48.7% more expensive to attend than IUPUI for in-state tuition ($13,740.00 vs. $9,241.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 136.6% higher at IUPUI than Central Michigan University ($32,509.00 vs. $13,740.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis than CMU ($11,592 vs. $15,826)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 6.8% lower than costs at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ($12,178 vs. $13,010)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (95% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis students is 7.8% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($11,473 vs. $10,638)

IUPUI vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 35 points higher than at IUPUI (1014)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at IUPUI (22)
  • Accepted freshman IUPUI students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than IUPUI (81.4%)

IUPUI vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IUPUI 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 IUPUI.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (54% vs. 33%)
  • Graduates from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn on average $4,100 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $44,500)
  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis students graduate with a $3,910 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($23,090 vs. $27,000)
  • IUPUI graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($238 vs. $279)
  • More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IUPUI students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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