Overview
Founded in 1892 as Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, Central Michigan University has grown from a teacher-training institution into a comprehensive public research university serving students across Michigan and beyond. Located in Mount Pleasant, CMU is particularly well regarded for its education, business, health professions, and broadcast/journalism programs, and it maintains one of the largest off-campus and online degree networks in the country through CMU Global Campus. The university holds Carnegie classification as a doctoral research institution and has built a reputation for producing career-ready graduates in fields like audiology, occupational therapy, and physician assistant studies.
At a Glance
| Type | Public Research |
| Location | Mount Pleasant, Michigan |
| Founded | 1892 |
| Total students | 14,000 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 17:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 82% |
| Graduation rate | 58% |
| Average starting salary | $48,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $13,700 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,000 |
| Room & board | $11,200 |
| Average financial aid | $12,500 |
| Students receiving aid | 90% |
Admissions
| SAT range | 960-1170 |
| ACT range | 18-24 |
| Average GPA | 3.3 |
| Regular deadline | Rolling |
Top Programs
- Business Administration
- Education
- Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
- Broadcast & Cinematic Arts
- Physician Assistant Studies
- Nursing
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.