CSU vs. CMU

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

 CSU CMU
Location Chico, CA Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 14,183 14,557
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #659 #715
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU CMU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $13,200
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $13,200
Room & Board $15,212 $11,248
Avg Net Price $15,517 $15,605
Avg Grant Aid $9,162 $11,314
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 96%

Admission

 CSU CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,417 19,888
Admitted 20,347 15,701
Acceptance Rate 95% 78.9%
Enrolled % 9.9% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.47
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 21/27
SAT Range 970/1170 980/1220
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Dec 15, 2023

Academics

 CSU CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 CSU CMU
Graduation Rate 59% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $279

Diversity

 CSU CMU
% Men 45% 40%
% Women 55% 60%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 46% 79%
% Black 2% 8%
% Hispanic 29% 4%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

 CSU CMU
% In-State 97% 90%
% Out-of-State 2% 9%

Campus

 CSU CMU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Central Michigan University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (14,557 students vs. 14,183 students)

CSU vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or CMU?

  • Central Michigan University is 129.9% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 33.5% higher at CSU than Central Michigan University ($17,622.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than CMU ($15,517 vs. $15,605)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 35.2% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($11,248 vs. $15,212)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than California State University Chico (96% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 23.5% larger than aid received California State University Chico ($11,314 vs. $9,162)

CSU vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 46 points higher than at CSU (1003)
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at CSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at CSU (3.37)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than CMU (78.9%)

CSU vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at CSU is higher than Central Michigan University (59% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $7,900 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $44,500)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $10,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($17,000 vs. $27,000)
  • CSU graduates are paying $104 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($175 vs. $279)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 54%)

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