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About

About Central Michigan University

public doctoral universityhigh research activityeducation and business focusaccessible admissionsmidsize midwest campus

Central Michigan University is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, MI, known for its education and business focus, accessible admissions, and midsize midwest campus. With an acceptance rate of 79%, CMU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 2,019 students each year. CMU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 970–1200, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. CMU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $11,447 per year; the sticker price of $26,264 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Central Michigan University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

79%
Overall Accept Rate
2.00
Typical Admitted GPA
1085
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 1.00 – 3.00 unweighted

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SATSubmitted score range: 970 – 1200 (test optional)

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ACTScore range: 21 – 27

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Central Michigan University

Application Strategy
Central Michigan admits the large majority of applicants, so your GPA and course rigor in high school carry the most weight in their review. Make sure your transcript shows a steady upward trend or consistent solid performance, since that is what will stand out most to CMU reviewers.
Application Strategy
CMU has specific programs like its Fire Science and Emergency Management or its Journalism sequence that are hard to find elsewhere, so if you are applying to one of those, mention it directly in your application to show you have done your homework on what CMU offers.

Financial Aid & Cost

What Central Michigan University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$26k/yr$12.2k
30k-48k~$26k/yr$12.1k
48k-75k~$26k/yr$13.6k
75k-110k~$26k/yr$16.3k
110k+~$26k/yr$21.4k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

62%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$47k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
18:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
10,602
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

76%White
8%Black / African American
6%Hispanic
4%Two or More Races
3%International
2%Asian
1%Unknown / Unreported
1%American Indian / AK Native
0%Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
Gender38% Men · 62% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status97% Citizens and Immigrants · 3% International
CMU, Mount Pleasant Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch