CU Denver vs. CMU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than CMU based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 14,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Central Michigan University is in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Central Michigan University 16:1.

CU Denver vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than CMU ($14,831 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 18.6% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($12,564 vs. $15,442).
• Central Michigan University is 42.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $4,377 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.1% higher at CU Denver than at Central Michigan University (about $14,631 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 37.3% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($13,042 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. CMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver 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 CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1100) is 20 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at CMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Central Michigan University 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Central Michigan University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; CMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 11.3% at CMU.

CU Denver vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $23,700 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $5,810 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($21,190 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.