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Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University is based in the town of Mount Pleasant, MI — a public campus in a small-town setting.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$12,672

family income
under $30k

$11,638

$30–48k

$14,182

$48–75k

$17,215

$75–110k

$18,780

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$17,5972023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Central Michigan University rose from $14,798 (2008) to $17,597 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$14,798
2009	$15,316
2010	$14,525
2011	$14,804
2012	$15,457
2013	$15,558
2014	$14,509
2015	$15,666
2016	$15,531
2017	$15,677
2018	$15,981
2019	$16,007
2020	$16,810
2021	$14,630
2022	$16,041
2023	$17,597

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$30,6812024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Central Michigan University rose from $19,437 (2009) to $30,681 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$19,437
2010	$20,297
2011	$20,022
2012	$20,556
2013	$21,523
2014	$21,828
2015	$22,357
2016	$22,778
2017	$23,328
2018	$23,890
2019	$24,656
2020	$25,078
2021	$26,085
2022	$26,077
2023	$26,470
2024	$30,681

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,775	$8,951
2001	$4,247	$9,938
2002	$4,747	$11,119
2003	$5,218	$12,148
2004	$5,365	$12,467
2005	$6,390	$14,850
2006	$7,530	$17,520
2007	$9,120	$21,210
2008	$9,570	$22,260
2013	$11,220	$23,670
2014	$11,550	$23,670
2015	$11,850	$23,670
2016	$12,150	$23,670
2017	$12,510	$23,670
2018	$12,960	$24,120
2019	$12,960	$24,120
2020	$12,960	$24,120
2021	$13,200	$13,200
2022	$13,650	$13,650
2023	$14,190	$14,190

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Central Michigan University reports published tuition by residency: $14,760 in-state versus $14,760 out-of-state — a $0 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Central Michigan University reports 10,035 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

58.7% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Central Michigan University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

58.7%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Central Michigan University has wandered from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts — up to 63.6% at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 58.7%.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	53.6%
1992 cohort	46.7%
1993 cohort	52.2%
1994 cohort	50.3%
1995 cohort	51.4%
1996 cohort	47.4%
1997 cohort	52.3%
1998 cohort	55.4%
1999 cohort	55.4%
2000 cohort	57.3%
2001 cohort	57.2%
2002 cohort	57.5%
2003 cohort	57.2%
2004 cohort	54.4%
2005 cohort	54.3%
2006 cohort	57.2%
2007 cohort	59.3%
2008 cohort	55.5%
2009 cohort	59%
2010 cohort	57.5%
2011 cohort	58.4%
2012 cohort	61.6%
2013 cohort	61.1%
2014 cohort	63.6%
2015 cohort	61.7%
2016 cohort	61.7%
2017 cohort	61.8%
2018 cohort	58.7%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$14,500	$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$14,500	$3,835
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$15,512	$3,543
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$15,875	$4,117
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$16,044	$4,094
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$16,375	$3,926
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$16,138	$4,625
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$16,000	$4,617
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$16,500	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$16,866	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$17,125	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$17,250	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$19,250	$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$22,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$24,606	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$26,610	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$27,000	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$27,000	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$27,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$27,000	$10,231
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$27,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$27,000	$9,916
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$27,000	$10,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$27,000	$11,525

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$46,567

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$50,848

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$55,874

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Central Michigan University admitted 19,732 of 21,969 applicants in Fall 2024. The 89.8% rate describes that application pool.

89.8%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $14,190 in-state tuition · 2023–24 10,035 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 960–12001600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Central Michigan University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Central Michigan University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 490–610 and Math was 470–590 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 960–1200 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	490	550	610
SAT Math	470	530	590
ACT Composite	21	24	27

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Central Michigan University received 21,969 applications and admitted 19,732 (89.8%), with 2,222 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

89.8%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	82.5%
Fall 2002	71.4%
Fall 2003	70.3%
Fall 2004	74.4%
Fall 2005	75.3%
Fall 2006	75.3%
Fall 2007	73.3%
Fall 2008	69.7%
Fall 2009	72%
Fall 2010	92.1%
Fall 2011	68.5%
Fall 2012	68.9%
Fall 2013	63%
Fall 2014	69.3%
Fall 2015	68.8%
Fall 2016	71.6%
Fall 2017	67.8%
Fall 2018	68.8%
Fall 2019	69.5%
Fall 2020	68.7%
Fall 2021	77.1%
Fall 2022	79%
Fall 2023	91%
Fall 2024	89.8%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

960–1200Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2004	930	1170
Fall 2005	900	1150
Fall 2006	900	1150
Fall 2007	923	1180
Fall 2008	950	1180
Fall 2009	888	1130
Fall 2010	910	1188
Fall 2011	900	1173
Fall 2012	908	1160
Fall 2013	868	1113
Fall 2014	920	1181
Fall 2015	900	1140
Fall 2016	890	1140
Fall 2017	1010	1200
Fall 2018	1000	1200
Fall 2019	990	1200
Fall 2020	1000	1210
Fall 2021	1010	1220
Fall 2022	980	1220
Fall 2023	960	1210
Fall 2024	960	1200

IPEDS Fall 2004–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

21–27Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	20	25
Fall 2002	20	25
Fall 2003	19	24
Fall 2004	19	24
Fall 2005	19	24
Fall 2006	19	24
Fall 2007	20	24
Fall 2008	20	24
Fall 2009	20	25
Fall 2010	20	24
Fall 2011	20	25
Fall 2012	20	25
Fall 2013	20	24
Fall 2014	20	25
Fall 2015	20	25
Fall 2016	20	25
Fall 2017	20	27
Fall 2018	20	27
Fall 2019	20	26
Fall 2020	20	26
Fall 2021	20	26
Fall 2022	21	27
Fall 2023	21	27
Fall 2024	21	27

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

10,035Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Central Michigan University fell from 19,480 (Fall 2002) to 10,035 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	19,480
Fall 2003	19,367
Fall 2004	19,633
Fall 2005	19,776
Fall 2006	19,815
Fall 2007	19,632
Fall 2008	20,022
Fall 2009	20,142
Fall 2010	21,055
Fall 2011	21,232
Fall 2012	20,848
Fall 2013	20,070
Fall 2014	20,297
Fall 2015	19,954
Fall 2016	19,551
Fall 2017	17,489
Fall 2018	16,157
Fall 2019	14,409
Fall 2020	12,909
Fall 2021	11,323
Fall 2022	10,297
Fall 2023	9,916
Fall 2024	10,035

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

75%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Central Michigan University has held near 75% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	77%
Fall 2003 cohort	78%
Fall 2004 cohort	77%
Fall 2005 cohort	76%
Fall 2006 cohort	76%
Fall 2007 cohort	77%
Fall 2008 cohort	76%
Fall 2009 cohort	80%
Fall 2010 cohort	76%
Fall 2011 cohort	76%
Fall 2012 cohort	77%
Fall 2013 cohort	76%
Fall 2014 cohort	79%
Fall 2015 cohort	78%
Fall 2016 cohort	77%
Fall 2017 cohort	77%
Fall 2018 cohort	74%
Fall 2019 cohort	80%
Fall 2020 cohort	77%
Fall 2021 cohort	72%
Fall 2022 cohort	74%
Fall 2023 cohort	75%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Central Michigan University

Faculty pay at Central Michigan University averages $128,184 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Central Michigan University as a primarily residential campus of 10,035 undergraduates — and 75.4% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Central Michigan University's SAT section-percentile sums are 960–1200 — their midpoint is below the MI four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Central Michigan University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Central Michigan University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Central Michigan University89.8%

Michigan median79.2%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Central Michigan University$14,760

Michigan median$24,944

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Central Michigan University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Central Michigan University$55,874

Michigan median$54,739

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Central Michigan University, Michigan and national reference values
Metric & basis	Central Michigan University	Michigan median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	89.8%	79.2%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$14,760	$24,944	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$55,874	$54,739	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Central Michigan University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Central Michigan University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 57 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	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

These 57 fields listed for Central Michigan University measure earnings after completion. The $55,874 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 36 additional Central Michigan University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Central Michigan University report?

Central Michigan University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 960–1200 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Central Michigan University's acceptance rate?

89.8% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 19,732 admitted from 21,969 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 earnings data does Central Michigan University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $55,874. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.