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Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University admits nearly everyone — 89.8% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Central Michigan University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Central Michigan University anchors the college town of Mount Pleasant, MI, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Management Information Systems and Services, where graduates median $95,721 four years out. Faculty pay averages $128,184 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 10,035 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 75.4% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 960 and 1210 — near the MI middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Central Michigan University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Central Michigan University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 960–1210 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Central Michigan University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 490 | 550 | 620 |
| SAT Math | 470 | 540 | 590 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 24 | 27 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Central Michigan University received 18,102 applications and admitted 16,474 (91%), with 2,044 enrolling.
How Central Michigan University compares
| Central Michigan University | Michigan median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 89.8% | 79.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $14,760 | $24,944 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $55,874 | $54,739 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Central Michigan University student earns $55,874 — 2% above the Michigan median of $54,739 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Central Michigan University prices by residency: $14,760 in-state versus $14,760 out-of-state — a $0 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Central Michigan University enrolls 10,035 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Central Michigan University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
58.7% graduate within six years. Roughly 41% don't — ask a Central Michigan University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Central Michigan University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Management Information Systems and Services | $95,721 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $91,542 |
| Computer Science | $89,216 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $86,839 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $86,472 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,196 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $84,064 |
| Statistics | $81,853 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $80,551 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $79,906 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $77,768 |
| Marketing | $75,661 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $74,113 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $73,340 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $73,316 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $73,112 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $67,117 |
| Economics | $65,174 |
| Geography and Cartography | $62,999 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $62,082 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $61,331 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $59,522 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $58,344 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $57,771 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $57,513 |
| Biology, General | $57,438 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $57,438 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | $57,108 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $56,553 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $56,314 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,353 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $55,134 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $54,888 |
| Mathematics | $54,265 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,254 |
| Psychology, General | $53,422 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $53,353 |
| Social Work | $53,279 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,311 |
| Political Science and Government | $50,462 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $50,095 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $49,677 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $49,639 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $49,588 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $48,409 |
| Sociology | $48,389 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $48,290 |
| Journalism | $47,775 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $46,942 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $45,881 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $43,916 |
| Music | $43,089 |
| History | $40,918 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,181 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $39,947 |
| Anthropology | $39,577 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,262 |
Median earnings for these 57 Central Michigan University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $55,874 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 36 additional Central Michigan University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Central Michigan University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 960–1210 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 89.8% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Central Michigan University's acceptance rate?
91% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 16,474 admitted from 18,102 applicants.
How much does Central Michigan University cost?
In-state tuition is $14,760; out-of-state students pay $14,760. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Central Michigan University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $55,874 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Michigan
- College for Creative Studies — 91.9% admitted
- Davenport University — 97.8% admitted
- Aquinas College — 89.9% admitted
- Ferris State University — 91.4% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.