IU South Bend vs. CMU

Comparable Facts

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

Central Michigan University is larger than IU South Bend based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 4,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University South Bend is located in South Bend, IN (Midsize City setting); Central Michigan University is in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Indiana University South Bend is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University South Bend 15:1; Central Michigan University 16:1.

IU South Bend vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU South Bend or CMU? 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 Indiana University South Bend than CMU ($9,003 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 18.9% lower than at Central Michigan University ($10,184 vs. $12,564).
• Central Michigan University is 75.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (about $6,336 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.5% higher at IU South Bend than at Central Michigan University (about $8,051 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at Indiana University South Bend (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 55.8% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($13,042 vs. $8,371).

IU South Bend vs. CMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU South Bend or CMU? 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 CMU and IU South Bend.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 10 points higher than at IU South Bend (1070).
• Incoming CMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at IU South Bend).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 950/1190; Central Michigan University 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University South Bend 21/23; Central Michigan University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU South Bend - Test optional; CMU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than IU South Bend (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39% at IU South Bend vs. 11.3% at CMU.

IU South Bend vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU South Bend and CMU? 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 Indiana University South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University South Bend graduates have a $2,470 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($24,530 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU South Bend graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

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.