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#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

CMU Admission Requirements

Mount Pleasant, Michigan

 3 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Central Michigan University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

78.9%
Admission Difficulty for Central Michigan University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at CMU is 78.9%.  Its admission rate is the 25th lowest in Michigan.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into CMU and can you get accepted?

Central Michigan University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 15,701 out of the 19,888 who applied were admitted.

Central Michigan University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.47. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into CMU?

79% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Central Michigan University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.47 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1100 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT

CMU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.47

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Central Michigan University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into CMU are to have around a 3.47 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.47 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as CMU accepts 79% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at CMU is 3.47 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #22 in Michigan for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since CMU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Central Michigan University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 18.2% Good
3.75 to 3.99 20.5% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 15.8% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.9% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 16.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 15.1% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.5% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

CMU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Central Michigan University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 49% of students submitted SAT scores and 8% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

980-1220

Applicants Submitting SAT 

49%
SAT Scores for Central Michigan University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 500
Math 25th Percentile 480
Composite 25th Percentile 980
SAT Scores for Central Michigan University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1220
Average SAT Score 1100

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Central Michigan University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at CMU is 1100 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 980-1220. Students who get into Central Michigan University score in the top 64 percent of all SAT test takers..  CMU ranks #15 in the state of Michigan for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1100 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. CMU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 980 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 980, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 860, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Central Michigan University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1100 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1100, you have around a 79% chance of being admitted. A 1220 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

Central Michigan University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1220 and Above Good >88%
1100 to 1220 Avg + 79%-88%
980 to 1100 Avg - 66%-79%
860 to 980 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 860 Low <51%
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CMU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

8%
ACT Scores for Central Michigan University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for Central Michigan University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 27
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into CMU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to CMU is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 27.  The school ranks #11 in Michigan for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

8 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Central Michigan University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Central Michigan University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into CMU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 79% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 88% with a 27 ACT score.

Central Michigan University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >88%
24 to 27 Avg + 79%-88%
21 to 24 Avg - 66%-79%
18 to 21 Reach 51%-66%
Less than 18 Low <51%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Central Michigan University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 12,053 7,831 19,888
Accepted 9,616 6,083 15,701
Acceptance Rate 80% 78% 79%
Enrolled 1,209 810 2,019
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 13% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Central Michigan University is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Central Michigan University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Central Michigan University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Central Michigan University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Central Michigan University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.47 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1100 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Central Michigan University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=169248 IPEDS survey data for Central Michigan University.

Last updated February 24, 2024