CMU Admission Requirements

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Mount Pleasant, MI
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CMU Admission Overview

CMU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year CMU admitted 89.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.47 GPA (B+) and SAT 960-1200 / ACT 21-27. CMU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

CMU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.cmich.edu/undergraduate/apply

CMU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

89.8%

Admission Standards

Moderate

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The CMU acceptance rate is 89.8%. Last year, 19,732 of 21,969 applicants were admitted. That is the 34th lowest acceptance rate in Michigan.

Admission Selectivity

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

CMU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Central Michigan University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.47. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

CMU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.47

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.47

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at CMU typically have around a 3.47 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. CMU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #22 in Michigan for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Central Michigan University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

CMU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Central Michigan University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. You can earn admission and merit scholarships with your high school GPA alone, and submitting SAT or ACT scores can only raise a merit award, never lower it. If you send scores, use SAT code 1106 or ACT code 1972, or email an official report to apply@cmich.edu. Homeschooled students and applicants from schools that do not provide grades must submit an ACT or SAT score.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.cmich.edu/undergraduate/apply

CMU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

960-1200

Freshmen who sent SAT

61%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 490
Math 470
Composite 960

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 610
Math 590
Composite 1200

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at CMU typically score around a 1080 SAT (middle 50% 960–1200) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 55th percentile nationally. CMU ranks #19 in the state of Michigan for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 960 to 1200

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

CMU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1080 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Central Michigan University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1200+	Above 75th	>94%
1080 to 1200	Avg +	90%-94%
960 to 1080	Avg -	83%-90%
Below 960	Below mid-50	<83%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

CMU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

21-27

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 20
Math 19
Composite 21

75th Percentile Scores

English 27
Math 27
Composite 27

Average ACT

Incoming testers at CMU typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 21–27) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CMU places #13 among colleges in Michigan for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 27

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to CMU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Central Michigan University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
27+	Above 75th	>94%
24 to 27	Avg +	90%-94%
21 to 24	Avg -	83%-90%
Below 21	Below mid-50	<83%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the CMU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Central Michigan University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	13,299	8,657	21,969
Accepted	12,012	7,708	19,732
Acceptance Rate	90%	89%	90%
Enrolled	1,360	858	2,222
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	11%	11%	11%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Central Michigan University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

CMU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 89.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.47 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (960-1200); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025