CMU vs. Michigan State

Comparable Facts

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

Michigan State University is larger than CMU based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 14,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Michigan State University is in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Michigan State University 17:1.

CMU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State ($17,575 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Central Michigan University and Michigan State ($12,564).
• Michigan State University is 11.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $1,698 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 197% higher at Michigan State than at Central Michigan University (about $29,082 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University than at Michigan State University (94% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 33.8% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($13,042 vs. $9,750).

CMU vs. Michigan State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 190 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at CMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Michigan State University 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Michigan University 21/27; Michigan State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; Michigan State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Michigan State (84.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 18.3% at Michigan State.

CMU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and Michigan State? 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).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $15,500 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Michigan State University graduates have a $1,516 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($25,484 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Michigan State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($263 vs. $279).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.