University of South Alabama vs. CMU

Deciding between University of South Alabama and Central Michigan University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of South Alabama
Central Michigan University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
  • CMU Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Setting
  • University of South Alabama Midsize City
  • CMU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of South Alabama 14,003
  • CMU 14,488
  • Type
  • University of South Alabama Public 4 Year
  • CMU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of South Alabama #770
  • CMU #782
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of South Alabama -
  • CMU -
  • Status
  • University of South Alabama Non-profit
  • CMU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of South Alabama
  • CMU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of South Alabama $10,116
  • CMU $14,760
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of South Alabama $19,092
  • CMU $14,760
  • Room & Board
  • University of South Alabama $11,366
  • CMU $12,564
  • Average Net Price
  • University of South Alabama $16,074
  • CMU $17,575
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of South Alabama $9,329
  • CMU $13,042
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of South Alabama 96%
  • CMU 94%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of South Alabama 12,982
  • CMU 21,969
  • Admitted
  • University of South Alabama 9,212
  • CMU 19,732
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of South Alabama 71%
  • CMU 89.8%
  • Enrolled
  • University of South Alabama 21%
  • CMU 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of South Alabama 1080
  • CMU 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of South Alabama 23
  • CMU 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of South Alabama 3.69
  • CMU 3.47
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of South Alabama A-
  • CMU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of South Alabama Easy
  • CMU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of South Alabama Low
  • CMU
  • ACT Range
  • University of South Alabama 20/26
  • CMU 21/27
  • SAT Range
  • University of South Alabama 970/1190
  • CMU 960/1200
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of South Alabama Test optional
  • CMU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027
  • CMU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of South Alabama 19:1
  • CMU 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of South Alabama
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Engineering (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • CMU
    • Business (24%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of South Alabama 39%
  • CMU 54%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of South Alabama $45,200
  • CMU $44,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of South Alabama 45%
  • CMU 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of South Alabama $24,500
  • CMU $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of South Alabama $253
  • CMU $279

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of South Alabama 32%
  • CMU 39%
  • % Women
  • University of South Alabama 68%
  • CMU 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of South Alabama High
  • CMU Low
  • HBCU
  • University of South Alabama No
  • CMU No
  • % White
  • University of South Alabama 59%
  • CMU 79%
  • % Asian
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • CMU 1%
  • % Black
  • University of South Alabama 24%
  • CMU 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • CMU 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of South Alabama 1%
  • CMU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of South Alabama 0%
  • CMU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • CMU 3%
  • % International
  • University of South Alabama 5%
  • CMU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of South Alabama 2%
  • CMU 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of South Alabama 72%
  • CMU 88%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of South Alabama 26%
  • CMU 9%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of South Alabama Yes
  • CMU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of South Alabama No
  • CMU No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of South Alabama Yes
  • CMU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of South Alabama Yes
  • CMU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of South Alabama No
  • CMU No

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL with Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Michigan University is larger than University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (14,488 students vs. 14,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of South Alabama is located in Mobile, AL (Midsize City setting); Central Michigan University is in Mount Pleasant, MI (Distant Town setting).
  • University of South Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Alabama 19:1; Central Michigan University 16:1.

University of South Alabama vs. CMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or CMU? 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 University of South Alabama than CMU ($16,074 vs. $17,575).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 9.5% lower than at Central Michigan University ($11,366 vs. $12,564).
  • Central Michigan University is 45.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Alabama (about $4,644 more per year; $14,760.00 vs. $10,116.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at University of South Alabama than at Central Michigan University (about $4,332 more per year; $19,092.00 vs. $14,760.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Alabama than at Central Michigan University (96% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Michigan University students is 39.8% larger than aid received by University of South Alabama students ($13,042 vs. $9,329).

University of South Alabama vs. CMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama or CMU? 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 CMU and University of South Alabama.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Alabama (1080) is the same as at CMU (1080).
  • Incoming CMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at University of South Alabama).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 970/1190; Central Michigan University 960/1200.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 20/26; Central Michigan University 21/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Alabama - Test optional; CMU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at CMU (3.47).
  • CMU has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than University of South Alabama (71%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at University of South Alabama vs. 11.3% at CMU.

University of South Alabama vs. CMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Alabama and CMU? 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).

  • Central Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of South Alabama's (39%).
  • Graduates from University of South Alabama earn a median of about $700 more per year than CMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $44,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Alabama graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than CMU graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of South Alabama graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMU graduates ($253 vs. $279).
  • More CMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 45%)

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.