CMU vs. WMU vs. Michigan State vs. Coastal Carolina

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than CMU based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 14,488 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Michigan University is located in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Michigan University 16:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

CMU vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMU or WMU? 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 Western Michigan University than CMU ($17,331 vs. $17,575).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 3.1% lower than at Central Michigan University ($12,174 vs. $12,564).
• Western Michigan University is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMU (about $492 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29% higher at WMU than at Central Michigan University (about $4,274 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $14,760.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central Michigan University as at Western Michigan University (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 18% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($13,042 vs. $11,048).

CMU vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMU or WMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WMU and CMU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 30 points higher than at CMU (1080).
• Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 23 at WMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central Michigan University 960/1200; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Central Michigan University 21/27; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMU - Test optional; WMU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman WMU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CMU (3.47).
• CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at CMU vs. 13.5% at WMU.

CMU vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMU and WMU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Central Michigan University's (54%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $367 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($26,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($275 vs. $279).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CMU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.