CMU vs. Carlow University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI with Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than Carlow University based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 2,416 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Carlow University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carlow University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Carlow University 12:1.

CMU vs. Carlow University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Carlow University? 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 Central Michigan University than Carlow University ($17,575 vs. $21,002).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 9% lower than at Carlow University ($12,564 vs. $13,808).
• Carlow University is 143% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $21,114 more per year; $35,874.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143% higher at Carlow University than at Central Michigan University (about $21,114 more per year; $35,874.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carlow University than at Central Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carlow University students is 116.5% larger than aid received by Central Michigan University students ($28,233 vs. $13,042).

CMU vs. Carlow University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Carlow University? 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 Carlow University and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Michigan University (1080) is 20 points higher than at Carlow University (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Carlow University 960/1168.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Carlow University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Carlow University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Carlow University (86.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 15.7% at Carlow University.

CMU vs. Carlow University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Carlow University? 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 Carlow University's (51%).
• Graduates from Central Michigan University earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Carlow University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,500 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carlow University and CMU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carlow University and CMU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Carlow University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.