Trine University vs. CMU

Should I go to Trine University or Central Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Trine University 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Trine University vs. Central Michigan University comparison
Trine University Central Michigan University College 3 College 4
Central Michigan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Trine University CMU
Location Angola, IN Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 4,088 14,557
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #772 #715
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website trine.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Trine University CMU
Tuition (In State) $34,330 $13,200
Tuition (Out of State) $34,330 $13,200
Room & Board $11,920 $11,248
Avg Net Price $24,276 $15,605
Avg Grant Aid $24,645 $11,314
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 96%

Admission

Trine University CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,904 19,888
Admitted 3,587 15,701
Acceptance Rate 91.9% 78.9%
Enrolled % 18.2% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.51 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 21/27
SAT Range 1030/1240 980/1220
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

Trine University CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Engineering (30%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (13%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

Trine University CMU
Graduation Rate 44% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 60% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,150 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $260 $279

Diversity

Trine University CMU
% Men 51% 40%
% Women 49% 60%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 79%
% Black 3% 8%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 7% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 3%

Students

Trine University CMU
% In-State 55% 90%
% Out-of-State 44% 9%

Campus

Trine University 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 Trine University based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 4,088 students)

Trine University vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Trine University or CMU?

  • Trine University is 160.1% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($34,330.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 160.1% higher at Trine University than Central Michigan University ($34,330.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Trine University ($15,605 vs. $24,276)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 6% lower than costs at Trine University ($11,248 vs. $11,920)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Trine University than Central Michigan University (97% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Trine University students is 117.8% larger than aid received Central Michigan University ($24,645 vs. $11,314)

Trine University vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Trine University (1089) is 40 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming Trine University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Trine University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • Trine University has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than CMU (78.9%)

Trine University vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Trine University 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 Trine University.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Trine University (54% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Trine University earn on average $1,900 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $44,500)
  • Trine University students graduate with a $1,850 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($25,150 vs. $27,000)
  • Trine University graduates are paying $19 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($260 vs. $279)
  • More Trine University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

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