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Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Central Michigan University is a public institution in Mount Pleasant with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 1099, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 9.9K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

62% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,874 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,041.

Established
1892
Motto
Sapientia, Virtus, Amicitia
Type
Public research university
Conference
Interstate
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

91%Acceptance
1099SAT Avg
9,916Students
16:1Student:Faculty
62%Grad Rate
$55,874Earnings 10yr
$16,041Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate91.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1099

Reading & WritingMid: 565
490620
MathMid: 550
470590

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
2127

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$14,190
Tuition (out-of-state)$14,190
Room & Board$12,178
Books & Supplies$1,240
Total Cost of Attendance$26,470
Average Net Price$16,041
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,672
$30–48K$11,638
$48–75K$14,182
$75–110K$17,215
$110K+$18,780

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

32.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-5.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$23,183

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

65

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

13

Burglary

3

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

4

Motor Vehicle Theft

8

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

20

Drug Arrests

15

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (194)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

74%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
9,916
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
First Generation
29%
Pell Grant Recipients
31%

Race & Ethnicity

White 76%
Black 8%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate61.8%
Freshman Retention73.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$46,567
10 Years$55,874

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

Forbes
#408
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#206
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

LacrosseBasketball programBasketball tournamentSwimmingTrack

History & Fun Facts

  • History Central Michigan Normal School (1905) CMU opened in 1892 as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute.
  • For the first year, 31 students attended classes in the Carpenter Building in downtown Mount Pleasant.
  • Bellows surveyed the future location of the campus and was involved in the construction of the original Main Building, which opened in September 1893.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from MI state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Detroitpop. 640K
123 mi(213 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
162 mi(281 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
187 mi(324 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DTW Detroit119 mi
MKE Milwaukee163 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare194 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA698 mi · ~20h 10m drive
New York, NY586 mi · ~16h 56m drive
Hartford, CT627 mi · ~18h 7m drive
Providence, RI689 mi · ~19h 54m drive
Albany, NY559 mi · ~16h 9m drive
Syracuse, NY435 mi · ~12h 34m drive
Rochester, NY361 mi · ~10h 26m drive
Buffalo, NY301 mi · ~8h 42m drive
Philadelphia, PA555 mi · ~16h 2m drive
Pittsburgh, PA328 mi · ~9h 29m drive
Harrisburg, PA466 mi · ~13h 28m drive
Newark, NJ577 mi · ~16h 40m drive
Washington, DC516 mi · ~14h 54m drive
Baltimore, MD516 mi · ~14h 54m drive
Atlanta, GA680 mi · ~19h 39m drive
Charlotte, NC615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
Raleigh, NC630 mi · ~18h 12m drive
Miami, FL1259 mi · ~36h 22m drive
Orlando, FL1057 mi · ~30h 32m drive
Tampa, FL1088 mi · ~31h 26m drive
Nashville, TN524 mi · ~15h 8m drive
New Orleans, LA986 mi · ~28h 29m drive
Richmond, VA568 mi · ~16h 25m drive
Chicago, IL187 mi · ~5h 24m drive
Detroit, MI123 mi · ~3h 33m drive
Minneapolis, MN430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
St. Louis, MO444 mi · ~12h 50m drive
Kansas City, MO595 mi · ~17h 11m drive
Indianapolis, IN274 mi · ~7h 55m drive
Columbus, OH267 mi · ~7h 43m drive
Cleveland, OH213 mi · ~6h 9m drive
Milwaukee, WI162 mi · ~4h 41m drive
Dallas, TX990 mi · ~28h 36m drive
Houston, TX1119 mi · ~32h 20m drive
Austin, TX1163 mi · ~33h 36m drive
San Antonio, TX1237 mi · ~35h 44m drive
Los Angeles, CA1903 mi · ~54h 59m drive
San Francisco, CA1995 mi · ~57h 38m drive
San Diego, CA1898 mi · ~54h 50m drive
Seattle, WA1818 mi · ~52h 31m drive
Portland, OR1854 mi · ~53h 34m drive
Denver, CO1074 mi · ~31h 2m drive
Phoenix, AZ1624 mi · ~46h 55m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1396 mi · ~40h 20m drive
Honolulu, HI4384 mi · ~126h 39m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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