CMU vs. GVSU

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

CMU GVSU
Location Mount Pleasant, MI Allendale, MI
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 14,557 21,648
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #583
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu gvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CMU GVSU
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $13,952
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $19,856
Room & Board $11,248 $10,140
Avg Net Price $15,605 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $8,811
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 93%

Admission

CMU GVSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 17,123
Admitted 15,701 15,474
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 90.4%
Enrolled % 12.9% 25%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.65
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 21/27
SAT Range 980/1220 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 May 1, 2024

Academics

CMU GVSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

CMU GVSU
Graduation Rate 54% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $44,600
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 62%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $258

Diversity

CMU GVSU
% Men 40% 38%
% Women 60% 62%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 83%
% Black 8% 5%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

CMU GVSU
% In-State 90% 91%
% Out-of-State 9% 8%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Grand Valley State University is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (21,648 students vs. 14,557 students)

CMU vs. GVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or GVSU?

  • Grand Valley State University is 5.7% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($13,952.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 50.4% higher at GVSU than Central Michigan University ($19,856.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than GVSU ($15,605 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grand Valley State University are 10.9% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($10,140 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than Grand Valley State University (96% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 28.4% larger than aid received Grand Valley State University ($11,314 vs. $8,811)

CMU vs. GVSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Grand Valley State University (1090) is 41 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming GVSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman GVSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • GVSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than CMU (78.9%)

CMU vs. GVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU or GVSU? 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 GVSU and CMU.

  • The graduation rate at GVSU is higher than Central Michigan University (63% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Grand Valley State University earn on average $100 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $44,500)
  • Grand Valley State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • GVSU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More GVSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 54%)

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