CMU vs. Michigan State

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

 CMU Michigan State
Location Mount Pleasant, MI East Lansing, MI
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 14,557 50,023
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #240
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu msu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CMU Michigan State
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $15,192
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $41,778
Room & Board $11,248 $10,990
Avg Net Price $15,605 $22,803
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $8,684
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 92%

Admission

 CMU Michigan State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 53,341
Admitted 15,701 46,914
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 88%
Enrolled % 12.9% 21%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.72
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 25/31
SAT Range 980/1220 1160/1360
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

Academics

 CMU Michigan State
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Communication (11%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (6%)

Outcomes

 CMU Michigan State
Graduation Rate 54% 77%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $60,000
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,484
Median Loan Payment $279 $263

Diversity

 CMU Michigan State
% Men 40% 47%
% Women 60% 53%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 79% 67%
% Black 8% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 13%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 CMU Michigan State
% In-State 90% 71%
% Out-of-State 9% 21%

Campus

 CMU Michigan State
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

  • Michigan State University is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (50,023 students vs. 14,557 students)

CMU vs. Michigan State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or Michigan State?

  • Michigan State University is 15.1% more expensive to attend than CMU for in-state tuition ($15,192.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 216.5% higher at Michigan State than Central Michigan University ($41,778.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than Michigan State ($15,605 vs. $22,803)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 2.3% lower than costs at Central Michigan University ($10,990 vs. $11,248)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than Michigan State University (96% vs. 92%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 30.3% larger than aid received Michigan State University ($11,314 vs. $8,684)

CMU vs. Michigan State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Michigan State University (1159) is 110 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than CMU (78.9%)

CMU vs. Michigan State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CMU or Michigan State? 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 Michigan State and CMU.

  • The graduation rate at Michigan State is higher than Central Michigan University (77% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Michigan State University earn on average $15,500 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($60,000 vs. $44,500)
  • Michigan State University students graduate with a $1,516 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($25,484 vs. $27,000)
  • Michigan State graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans 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/