CMU vs. WCU

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

 CMU WCU
Location Mount Pleasant, MI West Chester, PA
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 14,557 17,275
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #715 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cmich.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CMU WCU
Tuition (In State) $13,200 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $13,200 $19,290
Room & Board $11,248 $14,228
Avg Net Price $15,605 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $11,314 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 96% 64%

Admission

 CMU WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,888 14,778
Admitted 15,701 12,982
Acceptance Rate 78.9% 87.8%
Enrolled % 12.9% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.47 3.43
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 23/30
SAT Range 980/1220 1080/1260
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 WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

 CMU WCU
Graduation Rate 54% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,500 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $242

Diversity

 CMU WCU
% Men 40% 39%
% Women 60% 61%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 78%
% Black 8% 11%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 0%

Students

 CMU WCU
% In-State 90% 87%
% Out-of-State 9% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (17,275 students vs. 14,557 students)

CMU vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or WCU?

  • Central Michigan University is 71.1% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $7,716.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.1% higher at WCU than Central Michigan University ($19,290.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Michigan University than WCU ($15,605 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 26.5% lower than costs at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,248 vs. $14,228)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (96% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 107.9% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($11,314 vs. $5,443)

CMU vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 23 points higher than at CMU (1049)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman CMU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than CMU (78.9%)

CMU vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Central Michigan University (68% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn on average $4,500 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($49,000 vs. $44,500)
  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($23,500 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $37 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($242 vs. $279)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 54%)

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