FAU vs. CMU

Should I go to Florida Atlantic University or Central Michigan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FAU or CMU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

FGCU UCF WMU Eastern Michigan University Florida State Nova Michigan State FIU GVSU University of South Florida St. Petersburg UNF USF Main Campus
Florida Atlantic University vs. Central Michigan University comparison
Florida Atlantic University Central Michigan University College 3 College 4
Florida Atlantic University Central Michigan University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 FAU CMU
Location Boca Raton, FL Mount Pleasant, MI
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 29,592 14,557
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #738 #715
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fau.edu cmich.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FAU CMU
Tuition (In State) $2,522 $13,200
Tuition (Out of State) $14,374 $13,200
Room & Board $12,536 $11,248
Avg Net Price $9,711 $15,605
Avg Grant Aid $10,334 $11,314
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 96%

Admission

 FAU CMU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 24,268 19,888
Admitted 19,734 15,701
Acceptance Rate 81.3% 78.9%
Enrolled % 22.1% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.47
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Easy Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/25 21/27
SAT Range 1020/1200 980/1220
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2024

Academics

 FAU CMU
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

 FAU CMU
Graduation Rate 43% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,861 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $174 $279

Diversity

 FAU CMU
% Men 42% 40%
% Women 58% 60%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 43% 79%
% Black 20% 8%
% Hispanic 26% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

 FAU CMU
% In-State 72% 90%
% Out-of-State 22% 9%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Florida Atlantic University is larger than than CMU based on total student enrollment (29,592 students vs. 14,557 students)

FAU vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or CMU?

  • Central Michigan University is 423.4% more expensive to attend than FAU for in-state tuition ($13,200.00 vs. $2,522.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.9% higher at FAU than Central Michigan University ($14,374.00 vs. $13,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Florida Atlantic University than CMU ($9,711 vs. $15,605)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Michigan University are 11.5% lower than costs at Florida Atlantic University ($11,248 vs. $12,536)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Central Michigan University than Florida Atlantic University (96% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 9.5% larger than aid received Florida Atlantic University ($11,314 vs. $10,334)

FAU vs. CMU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central Michigan University (1049) is 2 points higher than at FAU (1047)
  • Incoming FAU students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at CMU (23)
  • Accepted freshman FAU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at CMU (3.47)
  • FAU has a higher acceptance rate (81.3%) than CMU (78.9%)

FAU vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at CMU is higher than Florida Atlantic University (54% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from Florida Atlantic University earn on average $1,700 more per year than CMU graduates after ten years. ($46,200 vs. $44,500)
  • Florida Atlantic University students graduate with a $10,139 lower median federal student loan debt than CMU graduates. ($16,861 vs. $27,000)
  • FAU graduates are paying $105 less per month on federal student loans than CMU graduates. ($174 vs. $279)
  • More FAU 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/