University of South Alabama vs. CMU

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

University of South Alabama CMU
Location Mobile, AL Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 13,768 14,399
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #750 #802
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama CMU
Tuition (In State) $8,976 $13,740
Tuition (Out of State) $17,952 $13,740
Room & Board $8,830 $12,178
Avg Net Price $13,613 $15,826
Avg Grant Aid $8,500 $10,638
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 95%

Admission

University of South Alabama CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,593 18,102
Admitted 8,247 16,474
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 91%
Enrolled % 23.3% 12.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26 21/27
SAT Range 1015/1200 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 Jul 15, 2026

Academics

University of South Alabama CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama CMU
Graduation Rate 39% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $253 $279

Diversity

University of South Alabama CMU
% Men 7% 13%
% Women 28% 17%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 79%
% Black 24% 8%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

University of South Alabama CMU
% In-State 73% 88%
% Out-of-State 26% 8%

Campus

University of South Alabama CMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (14,399 students vs. 13,768 students)

University of South Alabama vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or CMU?

  • Central Michigan University is 53.1% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($13,740.00 vs. $8,976.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.7% higher at University of South Alabama than Central Michigan University ($17,952.00 vs. $13,740.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Alabama than CMU ($13,613 vs. $15,826)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 37.9% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($8,830 vs. $12,178)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than University of South Alabama (95% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 25.2% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($10,638 vs. $8,500)

University of South Alabama vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 4 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1045)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (91%) than University of South Alabama (65.5%)

University of South Alabama vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than University of South Alabama (54% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn on average $700 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($45,200 vs. $44,500)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($24,500 vs. $27,000)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($253 vs. $279)
  • More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 45%)

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